Mikel Arteta makes Premier League title statement before Liverpool vs Man City

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Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League means "nothing" at this stage of the season. The Gunners moved nine points clear of Manchester City with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday and are firm favourites for the title.

Martin Zubimendi's arrowed strike and two goals from substitute Viktor Gyokeres capped a professional performance from Arteta's side, who piled the pressure onto City. Pep Guardiola's team travel to Anfield to face Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday needing a win to cut their lead to six points after 25 matches.

Arsenal are bidding for their first Premier League title since the famous Invincibles side of 2003/04, having finished as runners-up in three straight campaigns under Arteta. The manager is therefore remaining focused on the task at hand and refused to be drawn into gloating.

Asked what their cushion at the top meant, Arteta replied: “Nothing, we still have to win so many games to achieve what we want. So, there’s no focus on that. We’ve done our job and what we had to do. Let’s try to improve and get ready for Brentford.”

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Arteta was happier to speak about the impact of his 'finishers', with Gyokeres scoring twice after coming off the bench in the 60th minute. The Swedish striker came on in the 60th minute alongside Gabriel Martinelli, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus replaced, and the two made a difference as the game opened up.

“We had to take the game to a different level because the game started to get a bit more open and we brought the finishers on and they were incredible," the Arsenal boss said. “I saw their reaction immediately when I gave the line-up in the dressing room and I looked at Viktor and Gabi.

“They know how important their role is when you come on and some days it’s going to be even more important than starting the game. That’s a key message that we’ve been trying to pass to them.

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“The good thing is that they’re experiencing that every single game, every three days, the way we can change games and help the team win and I’m really, really happy for them.”

Arteta revealed on Saturday that he will be watching Liverpool against City. "I'm going to have a beautiful dinner tonight and tomorrow I'll start to prepare for Brentford, because it's going to be a really tough one," he said.

"We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want, so let's not focus on that, that's something else, we've done our job now, we've had what we have to do, assess that, try to improve it and get ready for Brentford. We have to keep raising our level."

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