Arsenal host Fulham in a crucial Premier League encounter this afternoon that will have ramifications on the title race.
The Gunners currently sit top of the table with a three point lead over Manchester City though Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand on their title rivals. And it is Mikel Arteta’s side who play first this weekend with the Gunners taking on Marco Silva’s impressive Fulham in a London derby that can increase the pressure on the title challengers.
Arsenal know they cannot afford to drop points in any of their remaining matches but must also win convincingly as goal difference could yet play a part in deciding if the Premier League trophy ends up in London or Manchester this year.
But their task won’t be easy as Fulham come into the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over Aston Villa proving that they have the quality to challenge the teams near the top of the table.
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Arteta calls on players to focus on title race
Having led the standings for much of the campaign, Arsenal’s occasional dropped points have allowed Manchester City to close the gap, with Pep Guardiola’s side applying pressure by stringing together a sequence of late-season victories.
The gap between leaders Arsenal and second-placed Man City is three points, with City having a game in hand.
“We have only four games to play now and everything is at stake, so it doesn’t get better than that,” Arteta said.
Arteta calls on players to focus on title race
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged his players to refocus on their Premier League title push as they prepare to host Fulham today, days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s pursuit of a first Premier League title in more than two decades has entered a tense final stretch, with Arteta’s side attempting to end a drought that dates back to their unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ campaign of 2003-04.
“Focus on Fulham. And hunger. Hunger to play, hunger to compete, hunger to win, hunger to be closer to achieve our dream,” the Spanish coach told reporters on Friday.
“We are playing to win the Premier League. It’s exactly where we wanted to be. Four games to go. It’s game two. Ready to go.”
Arsenal v Fulham
The Gunners currently sit top of the table with a three point lead over Manchester City though Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand on their title rivals. And it is Mikel Arteta’s side who play first this weekend with the Gunners taking on Marco Silva’s impressive Fulham in a London derby that can increase the pressure on the title challengers.
But their task won’t be easy as Fulham come into the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over Aston Villa proving that they have the quality to challenge the teams near the top of the table.
