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Mikel Arteta hopes his Arsenal team can match Arsene Wenger’s expectations for this season, as the Gunners great believes his former side have “a good chance” to win the Premier League title.
Arsenal are top after eight matches of the season, a point ahead of champions Manchester City.
Arteta’s men may well have been removed from the summit by the time they play again, though, facing Liverpool on Sunday after City play Southampton on Saturday.
Despite City’s own imperious form, three-time title-winning manager Wenger told Sky Sports he did not see “any super dominating team”, prompting his optimism for Arsenal to claim a first championship since his last success in the 2003-04 campaign.
Responding to Wenger’s thoughts ahead of the Liverpool game, Arteta, who played under the Frenchman, said: “Well, it’s great obviously that the people who love the club so much and know the club very well have such an opinion about it.
“Now, unfortunately, we have to show it, but you have to do it on the pitch. And hopefully, he’s right. He’s been right on many occasions.”
Arsenal certainly look in better shape than opponents Liverpool, who enter the weekend down in ninth, 11 points off the pace with a game in hand.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested the Reds are a work in progress, but Arteta responded: “Our team is as well.
“I think you always want to get better. You always hear about the weaknesses that you want to improve. Liverpool are a magnificent team.”
Indeed, even with Liverpool struggling, Arteta sees this match as a major challenge for his side.
“Every game is the same [opportunity to make a statement],” he said. “Obviously, it’s a big match.
“It’s a fixture that everybody’s looking for, against an opponent that has shown in the last five or six years the level that they have.
“And we have to show those opponents again that we have reached the level and we are ready to compete against them.”
