Mikel Arteta reveals Arsene Wenger advice to help Arsenal avoid another title collapse

Mikel Arteta has been picking the brains of Arsene Wenger to help Arsenal get over the line in the title race.

Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League - but they are only one point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

The last time the Gunners won the title was back in 2004, when Wenger was in charge, and Arteta has spoken to the Frenchman for advice.

Wenger won three League titles during his 22 years with Arsenal and, ahead of a crucial north London derby against Tottenham, Arteta has recalled listening to his old manager’s words of wisdom.

“I have spoken to him a few times,” said Arteta. “There were certain topics about how they won it and the later stages.

“He used to talk about that when I was a player. It is always there, in the hard drive.

“For this time of the season, at the end it is about finding a way to win the game. And that is it. You can do it in various ways when you look at how they won the titles.

“And how they won certain games with very very, very close margins. He always talked about that, about the fine margins and who is going to step up on the occasion to make it happen.”

Arteta has experienced playing in the north London derby as both a player and manager, and says he will relish Sunday’s showdown at Spurs.

“It’s been a while so I can’t remember exactly the feelings but you feel the history and it’s a big one,” he said.

“This football, there is a history between them both, and something that makes Arsenal bigger and better, that’s for sure.

“It is needed, in elite sport and football, to have other clubs, certain other individuals, that you have to confront and fight and prove you are better than them to make yourself better. It is really positive.”