Mikel Arteta warned over Arsenal 'obsession' as Arsene Wenger demand resurfaces

04 February 2024 , 19:35

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Mikel Arteta applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC (Image: Justin Setterfield)

Gael Clichy has warned Mikel Arteta not to become obsessed with winning the Premier League, but admitted that pressure on the side would only be lifted through success.

Arsenal closed the gap to the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates. The Gunners now sit just two points behind the Reds after 23 matches but Manchester City can overtake both should they win both of their games in hand.

Arteta's side last won the Premier League in 2004 under Arsene Wenger. Arsenal pushed Manchester City hard last term but have so far only won the FA Cup under the Spanish head coach.

Clichy was in the squad that tasted success two decades ago but more regularly came up short as he remained with the side until 2011. He won the division twice more with Manchester City but words from Wenger still ring true for the Frenchman.

The former left-back believes it 'takes time to be special' and that Arsenal should not become obsessed. Speaking ahead of Arsenal vs Liverpool, he said: "Arsene Wenger always used to say to us that once we won the first trophy, all the pressure would come undone.

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"Now obviously that’s not easy to do and they’ve won already with Mikel [Arteta] but the Premier League is the one they still need. They need to get it, you need to think about it a lot but they can’t be obsessed with it because Man City have been doing it for the last 12 years and we always want things quick in today’s time but they could be here, in this position, three years from now.

"It takes time, it takes time to be special and Mikel, everyone working with the club, is doing a good job. They’re here, but they’ll need to think about how they go after it."

Arteta saw his Arsenal side defeat Liverpool on Sunday

Regardless, Arsenal enjoyed emphatic celebrations following their win over Liverpool. Arteta was exhuberant as the Gunners struck twice in the second period to secure three points, while Martin Odegaard swapped roles with the club's photographer to take a shot of his colleague.

Jamie Carrager was left unimpressed with the antics, while Richard Keys also questioned the behavior of Arsenal's coach.

Carragher said on Sky Sports: "Just get down the tunnel! You’ve won a big game, you’ve got the three points, you’re back in the title race, just get down the tunnel. I’m being serious, honestly."

Scott Trotter