Arsenal are yet to be replaced at the top of the Premier League after winning all but two of the fixtures so far this season.
The Gunners dropped points against Southampton last weekend as Gabriel Jesus continued to struggle in front of goal, with the Brazilian failing to score in his last five appearances. Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for the north London outfit, but a tired display in the second half saw Stuart Armstrong cancel out the Swiss midfielder's early goal.
Xhaka has set a key target for his teammates to remain top of the table ahead of the World Cup in Qatar when club football action is suspended until Boxing Day, with Arsenal set to face West Ham at the Emirates Stadium when the Premier League resumes in December. Jesus vowed to end his goal drought following the 1-1 draw at St. Mary's and has also urged his colleagues to 'stay calm' despite mounting pressure from reigning champions Manchester City who were able to close the gap to the Gunners to just two points.
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Jesus is fully aware of what it takes to win a Premier League title having lifted the trophy four times during his time at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking after the disappointing result against the Saints, the £45million summer signing said: “Now is the time, you know everyone is going to talk about us, about our performance, I just want to say to the team to be calm.
"This league is tough, it’s difficult, everyone is upset. Now is a difficult time I think, the difficult time is coming.
"Everyone has to be alert and then focus more. We have six games before we stop for the World Cup, so we need to come back stronger because that’s football."
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Arsenal will begin to feel the pressure as the season continues and expects Jesus' former side to overtake the Gunners in the race for the title. Speaking to Midnite, Johnson said: "Around or after Christmas time, after a few injuries, City will catch up to Arsenal.
"If Arsenal are still top next year, they'll be thinking 'oh s***, we ain't been here for a while' and start looking over their shoulder.
"Arsenal will care more about the table than City would, City are used to being top and second so it's nothing new to them. Arsenal will eventually feel the pressure then City will catch them."
Mikel Arteta will be hoping he can avoid being hampered by injuries to key players in his squad after already losing Emile Smith Rowe who is now recovering from successful surgery to correct a long-term groin injury. The Spaniard will look to use his experience as Pep Guardiola's understudy and lead the Gunners to a historic Premier League title-winning season as they aim to return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
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