Arteta: 'Tottenham are Premier League title contenders'

Coach Mikel Arteta sees Tottenham as a candidate to win the Premier League this season and believes that the level and competition between teams has increased over the years.

After parting ways with captain Harry Kane, Tottenham have enjoyed a resurgence, topping the Premier League with 26 points and an unbeaten record. This is the team's best start since the 1960-61 season, when they last won the English championship.

In a press conference before the match against Newcastle, when asked if Tottenham could compete with Arsenal for the championship this season, Arteta replied: "Yes. They are leading and deserve their current position."

Before round 11, Arsenal and Man City had 24 points, while Liverpool had 23 points. For the first time in Premier League history, the top four clubs had won so many points after the first 10 rounds. According to Arteta, this fact shows that the level of competition in the Premier League has reached an unprecedented level.

"What's happened in the last five years in the Premier League is unprecedented, with the points and the level of teams now, with the number of high-level teams increasing. It's very different to what it used to be, and that puts more and more demands on what we do every day," the Arsenal manager added.

Coach Arteta at Colney training ground on November 2. Photo: arsenal.com — Coach Arteta at Colney training ground on November 2. Photo: *arsenal.com*

Arsenal's four-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end in midweek when they lost 3-1 at West Ham in the League Cup round of 16. The Gunners started with only a reserve team, with Aaron Ramsdale, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior starting.

However, Arteta does not believe that the lack of squad depth is to blame for the defeat. "Every game is different and you have to adjust accordingly," he said. "If you lack determination in any phase of play against a Premier League opponent, you will be punished. It's as simple as that, so you have to set the bar high if you want to keep winning."

The Spanish coach admitted that Arsenal were underperforming against West Ham, especially in the second half, and needed to do a lot better, from their style of play to their defensive organisation in the conceding goals. Arteta said the 1-3 scoreline did not reflect what happened in the match, but insisted that the whole team was focused on the trip to St James' Park today.

Newcastle have been transformed under Eddie Howe and have lost just three of their 24 home games since last season's Premier League campaign. But one of those defeats was a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in May 2023. The Gunners have also won eight of their last 10 away trips to Tyneside.

However, Arteta highly rates Newcastle and sees this as the toughest away game in the league. "We have won here before and know the difficulties ahead," the 41-year-old coach said. "We know Newcastle's ability, their strengths and our chances. We want to play in this atmosphere, like when we were away to Sevilla in the Champions League. You have to seize the moment, enjoy it and work hard. These are the grounds where you want to be tested."

Arteta respected and praised Howe, saying that his colleague had created a strong team with a clear playing style, showed great confidence, and became a leading club in the league, with the result being a ticket to the Champions League this season. Arteta also warned Arsenal when recalling that Newcastle had crushed PSG 4-1 at home in the Champions League group stage on October 4.

At St James' Park today, captain Martin Odegaard is ready to start after recovering from a hamstring problem, but Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber are absent through long-term injuries.

Hong Duy

Source link