Mikel Arteta Refuses To Rule Out Top Four Finish

Mikel Arteta believes the top four is still a possibility for Arsenal.

The Gunners have enjoyed some time off in Dubai after a gruelling winter schedule.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful of his players pulling off a miracle with 13 games still left to play in the Premier League. He believes this short break was kind of a mini-pre-season during which he could work on the player’s fitness and instill his philosophy better.

“At the moment we are far from it but there are a lot of games to play,” he said, as per the Guardian (via Onefootball). “It is very tight. Everybody is giving points away. It will depend on us. If we are able to put three or four wins in a row, we will be much closer.”

Arsenal sit tenth in the standings with Sheffield United, Tottenham, Wolves and Everton in front of them. Chelsea are holding on to the fourth position but are still 10 points ahead. The fight for the title might be lost but for Champions League qualification is still very much open. Teams are struggling to be consistent in the top division.

“It was like a mini pre-season,” he said before the clubs return from the middle east. “I wanted to use it to work on our principles and our styles of play, and as well, how we live together. There are things I want to implement together as a group, not just for the players but for the staff as well. It has been really useful.”

Arsenal are due to face Newcastle United in their first game back on Sunday, 16 February.