Mikel Arteta explains ‘the most important thing’ for Arsenal and makes ‘difficult’ title claim

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Arsenal are aiming to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, and this is not an easy thing to do.

Mikel Arteta’s side recorded impressive victories over both teams at the Emirates this season, but dropped points elsewhere means that Arsenal are still chasing, rather than leading, in the title race.

There is plenty of encouragement to be taken from recent results and performances, which includes the crucial 3-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side, and a 6-0 thrashing of West Ham at the London Stadium.

Arsenal are hitting form perhaps at the right time, ahead of a crunch run of fixtures both in the Premier League and Champions League, and are also set to welcome players back from injury, which Arteta has now highlighted as hugely important.

Mikel Arteta outlines importance of injured Arsenal stars

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Burnley, Arteta claimed that if his team wants to remain in the title picture towards the end of the season, they will need to have a near-fully fit squad for the first time in this campaign.

“What I said is the most important thing to impact at the end of the season is to have the squad fully available,” he stated.

“For me, that is requirement number one. And at the moment, we don’t have it. And we’re going to have to have it and we are working really hard to have it.

“This is the requirement number one. The 2/3/4, if we don’t have that one, it’s going to be difficult. I think we have a good chance.

“It is more difficult, especially in certain positions. When you have two or three players in certain positions, you can always vary and change it. But there are certain critical positions, and then it becomes much more difficult.”

Arteta’s tactical plans scuppered by injury

Arteta’s vision at the start of the season clearly relied on two key players in Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, but both have hardly featured all season.

Timber picked up a long-term injury on his Premier League debut, but could be set to return before the end of the campaign, whilst Partey has not featured since October.

Both players could play a huge part if they return towards the end of the campaign. Arteta started the season with the pair lining up as full-backs, with Partey inverting into midfield to give Arsenal utter dominance in the middle of the park.

Timber’s versatility would also have come in very useful, and if they can return to full fitness, they could have a huge impact to help Arsenal maintain consistent form across both competitions for the rest of the season.