Arsenal: 'The chance to win the title is still in Arsenal's hands'

"The players still completely believe in what we do," Arteta said on April 20 at a press conference before the match against Southampton in the 32nd round of the Premier League. "The goal we are fighting for is incredible, because the club hasn't been in a championship race like this for a long time. The chance to win the title is still in our hands and we want to do it."

The Spanish coach sees the match against the bottom team Southampton today as an opportunity for Arsenal to improve and find victory again. He said: "Every game brings a gift, and that's what you do to learn, improve as a team. We have another gift tomorrow and have to take it."

In the last two rounds, Arsenal lost their home victory despite leading two goals, drawing Liverpool and West Ham respectively with the same score of 2-2. Because of these two results, the gap between the "Gunners" and Man City has narrowed to four points, and Arsenal are playing more than one game. Both still have the right to self-determination, with a direct confrontation taking place at Etihad on April 26.

According to Arteta, if Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot, the scenario against West Ham would have changed. He emphasized that the race to win the Premier League can be determined by small details and everything needs to work out in Arsenal's favor. The Spanish coach also revealed that Saka has no psychological problems and will continue to take responsibility for the penalty kick.

"Steps are part of anything you do, especially in football," added Arteta. "Whatever the goal is, it's not going to be in a sequence. You have to be prepared for every eventuality, and the whole team has reacted very well this week. I'd like to see them show that tomorrow night." .

For the first time in six rounds, Arsenal played against Man City, when the opponent was busy in the FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United on April 22. Arteta refused to comment on the advantage playing first, but only focused on each game, and did not care about Man City's schedule.

Last week, the Premier League organizers announced that Arsenal's match against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in round 34 was changed to May 2, instead of taking place on Saturday, April 29 as scheduled. According to British newspaper Sunsport, the schedule was changed due to the coronation of King Charles taking place at Westminster Abbey on May 6. Part of the police force was asked to take leave at the end of April to do duty on May 6.

This change gives the "Gunners" only four days to prepare for the next important match against Newcastle at St. James' Park on May 7. But Arteta was not disappointed and had to accept the decision of the organizers.

The 41-year-old coach revealed that William Saliba continues to sit out and only knows specifically about the return date of the French midfielder next week. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also uncertain about playing because of a muscle injury.