Arsenal Boss Arteta Speaks Ahead Of Big Clash With Southampton Tonight

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is “very confident” his Premier League leaders can return to winning ways when they host Southampton on Friday.

The Gunners, who have squandered two-goal leads to draw each of their past two games, are currently four points clear of Manchester City at the top.

“What we are playing for is something incredible,” said Arteta. “The club hasn’t fought for this position for a long, long time.

“It’s in our hands. We want to do it.”

While Arsenal could extend their lead over City to seven points with victory over Southampton, Pep Guardiola’s side will have two games in hand when they host the Gunners at Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

The back-to-back draws against Liverpool and West Ham, compounded by City’s run of six successive league wins, mean Arsenal can now ill afford to drop more points.

“I’m very confident,” continued Arteta. “Twists and turns are part of anything you do, especially in football.

“Whatever the aim or the target is, it is not going to go in a linear progression. You have to know that and prepare for that.

“Maybe we got too comfortable at some stage in the (West Ham) game. I don’t have to coach them because they said it straight away.

“They know, it’s in their system, it’s in the gut and we have to show it.”