Mikel Arteta delivers a strong message to Pep Guardiola's Man City

Although held to a disappointing draw by Brentford, Arteta still sent a fierce caution to Man City, stating Arsenal’s readiness to "protect their goal at all costs" to keep their title.

Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League title race has now been reduced to just 4 points after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Brentford. While this result has caused concern among many fans, in the post-match press conference, coach Mikel Arteta showed a very firm and confident attitude ahead of the decisive phase of the season, especially the upcoming away match at Manchester City in April.

Speaking about the events at Gtech Community Stadium, the Spanish tactician acknowledged the challenges of facing Brentford – a team known for their tricky set-piece routines. Arteta likened it to: “When opponents execute set pieces, it’s like a gamble; anything can happen, including the worst-case scenario. You must know how to overcome that.”

Although Arsenal controlled most of the game and took the lead through Noni Madueke, a brief lapse from a throw-in cost them dearly. However, instead of being discouraged, Arteta viewed this as a lesson to strengthen their resilience: “What you have to do if you want to win here is to defend your goal with your life.” This is seen as a message of dedication that he wants his players to uphold in the long battle against Man City.

When asked whether the pressure from Man City’s pursuit is causing Arsenal players to falter, Arteta affirmed his absolute confidence in his system. He sent a subtle warning to their direct rivals: “If you want to score against Arsenal, you will have to work very hard. You must be truly excellent in set-piece situations.”

 

Despite winning only 2 of their last 6 matches, Arteta believes the “Gunners’” fighting spirit is their most formidable weapon:

“We showed great fighting spirit to win this game and, in the end, I think we deserved it more.” He also reminded about Martinelli’s late chance as proof that Arsenal can finish off opponents at any moment.

With only 12 rounds remaining and the direct confrontation with Man City on April 18 approaching, Arteta understands that every match is now a survival battle. His message is clear: Arsenal are not afraid. They might lose a bit of composure at times, but their will to defend the top spot has never wavered.

The draw at Brentford may be a setback in points but a step forward in spirit as Arsenal prepare for the “do or die” showdown at Etihad – where they will prove to the world the mettle of the reigning champions.