Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a stark warning to his own squad and the rest of the Premier League, insisting that Aston Villa must be considered genuine title contenders this season.
Villa's Stunning Form Sparks Title Talk
The declaration comes ahead of a crucial top-of-the-table clash at Villa Park this Saturday. Arsenal have the opportunity to extend their lead at the summit to eight points, but face what Arteta describes as one of their toughest tests of the campaign.
Unai Emery's side, after a shaky start, have been in scintillating form, winning seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. Their recent scalps include a 1-0 victory over Manchester City and a dramatic 4-3 comeback win against Brighton on Wednesday night. That result propelled Villa to third in the table, just six points behind leaders Arsenal and one point behind Manchester City after 14 games.
Arteta's Candid Assessment
When questioned in his pre-match press conference on whether Villa were in the title race, Arteta gave a frank response. "Well, if they continue where they are already, so if they continue what they’ve been doing, I think any club, any team in that position has chances for sure," the Arsenal boss stated.
He elaborated on the threat posed by Saturday's opponents, praising their manager in the process. "For what they’ve been doing, the way they’ve been playing and winning matches, certainly it’s a team that is in great form and we know that. We know obviously the manager and the incredible job he’s done there as well."
Emery's Remarkable Redemption Arc
The fixture adds a compelling narrative, pitting Arteta against the man he succeeded at the Emirates Stadium. Unai Emery has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at Villa since replacing Steven Gerrard in 2022, consistently achieving European qualification and guiding the club to the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
This success marks a significant redemption for the Spanish coach, who was dismissed by Arsenal in 2019 after just 18 months in the challenging role of succeeding legendary manager Arsène Wenger.
When asked if this match provided extra motivation for Emery, Arteta played down the narrative but paid tribute to his predecessor's professionalism. "I think when you look at Unai, his career, his motivation level, everywhere he’s had an impact, it’s all been remarkable. So I don’t know, that’s a question for him. But in my opinion, he never needs anything extra. I think he’s good enough in himself."
Arteta concluded by focusing on the task at hand for his own team, emphasising the need for peak performance. "We know the task tomorrow, but we always take it as an opportunity. Every time you win a game, obviously, you are a little bit closer to your objective... We have to focus on performing, preparing really well for tomorrow."
