Arteta Insists Arsenal Are In Control Of Title Race; Tudor Vows Spurs Survival Ahead of North London Derby

Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal remain firmly on course in their pursuit of silverware, brushing aside suggestions that the Premier League leaders are faltering after their late stumble at Wolves.

The Gunners conceded deep into stoppage time at Molineux on Wednesday, a blow that allowed Manchester City to edge closer in the title race. Yet Arsenal still sit five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side and know that victories in all their remaining fixtures would secure a first league crown since 2004.

With a trip to the Etihad Stadium looming in April, the margins are fine. Arsenal could see their advantage trimmed to two points before Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham if City beat Newcastle.

For some, the dropped points at Wolves revived familiar accusations about Arsenal’s ability to get over the line. Arteta, however, struck an assured tone when asked whether critics needed perspective, given his side is also in the Carabao Cup final, through to the FA Cup fifth round and boasts a flawless record in the Champions League group stage.

“No, because I think everybody has their own opinion, and their perspective is the right one,” Arteta said.

“We have ourselves a very clear instruction. We have to live in the present. What we did in the past is great, but we have to live in the present, and the present is beautiful.

“We are exactly where we want to be in every competition but there is still lots to play, and we need to earn it as we have done in the last seven or eight months.”

Arteta admitted the immediate aftermath of the Wolves draw was painful but stressed that emotion must quickly give way to action.

“That’s what we are trying to do. The instant reaction, first of all, is pain, and after that is ‘OK, what can I do about it?’ And that’s it,” he said.

“There is no other thing that we have to do. Now what we have to do is perform on the pitch. The words are clear.”

He also played down a social media post from Wolves that appeared to mock Arsenal, choosing instead to reference the praise of Wolves boss Rob Edwards.

“No, what I read is the press conference of Rob, the manager, before the game and what he said about us and why he texted me. He thinks that we are the best team in the league by far,” Arteta said.

“I’m much more interested in that than in any other thing that I don’t know who posts or whatever, especially because I don’t read it.”

Across north London, new Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor is preparing for his first taste of the derby under far more anxious circumstances.

Spurs are 16th in the table, five points above the relegation zone with 12 matches remaining. Former manager Thomas Frank was dismissed earlier this month after a difficult spell, and Tudor has been tasked with steadying a side that has won just two of their last 17 league outings.

Despite the precarious position, the Croatian was unequivocal when asked about survival.

“100%,” Tudor replied.

“I’m not here to enjoy it, I’m here to work,” the 47-year-old added. “Enjoy is the first moment, and then there’s work to do. It’s a fantastic club. I am very focused on doing the right things.

“It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, that will look after each other. For me this is basic.

“After that, the quality can come out and, for me, this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential.”

Tudor faces an immediate test against the league leaders with Spurs grappling with an injury crisis.

“It’s a very rare situation,” he said. “We have 10 injuries, and we trained with 13 players.

“It is an even bigger challenge to succeed from this situation. My first goal is that we become a team in the right meaning of the word, that suffers when it needs to suffer, to fight, to run, and to have the right mentality. The start is always about mentality.”