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Mikel Arteta faces brutal Premier League title reality as Arsenal sent ultimate Tottenham insult

Mikel Arteta gestures to the Arsenal supporters
-Credit: (Image: (Image: Getty))


Arsenal supporters around the world are hoping this is the year. After back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Premier League, the Gunners are aiming to win the title for the first time in 21 years.

Mikel Arteta has taken Arsenal from top four challengers to title challengers in his four-and-a-half seasons in charge. Now they need to make the final step and claim the silverware.

Arteta did win the FA Cup in his first season in charge, but it is the Premier League title that he, his players and the supporters want the most.

Overhauling Manchester City is no mean feat, as the Gunners have found in the last two campaigns. But after a 1-0 win over North London Derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, Arsenal go to the Etihad Stadium this Sunday with renewed confidence.

It is early on in the season and titles are never won at this stage, but they can be lost. Had they lost to Spurs and then City, it would have been difficult to stay in the race. Now they head to City knowing a draw away from home would keep them just two points behind their rivals for the crown.

But Arteta knows more than ever how important it is to round off your good seasons with silverware. And he has been told in no uncertain terms he must win titles soon or be deemed an also-ran.

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In the ultimate put down, former Man City goalkeeper David James told safestcasinosites that without silverware the Gunners would just be a "glorified Tottenham". He said: "Mikel Arteta needs to turn the potential and the promise into silverware to be considered one of the best managers in Europe.

"Do Arsenal have what it takes to win the title? I still have my doubts. I still think they’re a little bit too emotional at times. I think that could be an issue that rears its head during the season.

"Finishing in the Champions League positions is great, but Arsenal fans don’t want to go back to the latter days of [Arsene] Wenger finishing fourth every season and winning nothing, they don’t want to be a glorified Tottenham!

"Arteta must win trophies with the club for that narrative to change, and until he does, there will always be doubts about Arsenal and whether or not you can consider them a true force in English football."