Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks it is too early to consider his side as Premier League contenders, despite the Gunners’ perfect start to the league season. The North London giants have played four and won four games so far in this campaign.
A late goal from centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes settled Arsenal’s win over the newly-promoted Fulham. The Gunners trailed the Cottagers by a goal to nil following Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opening goal in the 56th minute. But that didn’t last for long as captain Martin Odegaard brought his side level with a well-taken finish four minutes past the hour mark, setting the stage for Gabriel’s late winner.
Arsenal’s record at present stands at four wins from four to start the season, propelling them to the top of the league table. However, Arteta was quick to play down talk of a title challenge when quizzed about the same in his post-match interviews, claiming that his team, like every other, will suffer at some stage of the season.
“No, I think it’s just the start of the season. This is a long, long marathon. Everybody has to suffer at some stage. We’re on a good run and we have to try to maintain it.
“Absolutely not [getting carried away]. Be humble and hungry,”
the Spaniard said on Arsenal’s title credentials.
Nonetheless, the tactician claims that his squad is excited because of the start they have made to the season. The Gunners are the only team with a perfect record in the competition after four games.
“Very much,”
he said regarding if there is excitement in the dressing room about their start to the season.
“But now it’s onto the next one. We have games this week so we have to prepare and recover well and be ready because every game in this league is so demanding. You can see the results. We need to be ready.”
Arsenal face Aston Villa (Aug 31) next in the season’s first midweek round of fixtures. Their first big test of the campaign awaits them the weekend after, as Arteta and Co take a trip to Manchester to play rivals United.
