Arsenal Manager Stresses Long-Term Focus Despite Setback in Newcastle Loss

Mikel Arteta has reassured his Arsenal squad that the title race is a marathon, not a sprint, following their controversial defeat to Newcastle that saw them fall behind Manchester City in the Premier League standings.

With Pep Guardiola’s side having taken the top spot after Arsenal and the other top contenders dropped points, Arteta remains calm, urging his players to avoid panic. He believes that this season’s title race will require between 96 and 100 points to secure the championship.

“We cannot be looking at other teams after just 11 games,” Arteta said. “It’s a long marathon, and things will change. Momentum will shift, and the key is not when you get those points but to focus on the process and preparation.”

Arteta is confident that to win the title, Arsenal will need to surpass their previous best-ever point tally and win more matches than ever before. “In this league, to win the title, we’ll need 96 to 100 points,” he added. “But to achieve that, we need to perform at a very high level, consistently winning matches.”

Looking ahead, Arsenal will face struggling Burnley on Saturday, and a victory would lift them level on points with Manchester City, who play Chelsea the following day. Despite the tight competition at the top of the table, with just seven points separating the top six, Arteta remains focused on the process rather than the outcome. “We know we need to win, but it’s about the preparation, the process, and how we’re going to play,” he said. “The result will take care of itself if we do things right.”

Arteta, who worked with Vincent Kompany during their time together at Manchester City, reflected on their shared experiences in the coaching world. Arteta, then an assistant to Guardiola, and Kompany, City’s former captain, discussed coaching aspirations during their time together. Arteta has noted how Guardiola’s passion for the game and innovative approach to coaching has inspired both of them, adding that more players from Guardiola’s era are likely to enter coaching roles.

“The influence of Guardiola is contagious,” said Arteta. “It’s powerful, and it’s inspiring so many to follow in his footsteps. His capacity to inject passion and a new way of looking at the game is remarkable.”