Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke has warned Mikel Arteta over turning results around when times get tough in the impending run-in for Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The Gunners currently lead the rest of the Premier League, sitting five points clear of rivals Manchester City.
That lead was only maintained after a goal in the last minute of a five-goal thriller between the north London outfit and relegation contenders Bournemouth. Arteta's side went two-goals down, but fought back as Reiss Nelson's injury time volley earned all three points.
"The team and individuals today showed a different level of will to win and determination and initiative," the head coach said after the joyous scenes at the Emirates Stadium. "Because when the game gets ugly there is a moment when you can lose momentum and start to hide and navigate through the game. But the players didn’t do that. They wanted the game, they wanted the ball every time, they took risks, they took the initiative, they kept trying until we broke them down and it was great to see that from the team."
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With just 12 games left to go, the Gunners will need every single margin to go in their favour to ensure they can win the title for the first time in 19 years. However, former Man United star Yorke has warned Arteta that the biggest challenge is yet to come and will be when the results are going against them.
He told Premier League Odds: "Anybody, including myself, would love to play in this Arsenal team at the moment. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard's youth and energy brings so much to their team. They play on the front foot, Mikel Arteta has used the energy of these young players so well.
"Arsenal play excellent football and are exciting going forward. But all things are going well for them at the moment, and we need to see when things go against them. Some players might get found out when the team stops winning as many games as they have, and then they won't have anywhere to hide.
"When Arsenal was losing and came back against Bournemouth, it was a clear sign of a Premier League-winning team, that's when you need players to rally. Some players turned up for Arsenal in that game and some didn't. The wins against Aston Villa and Bournemouth are big wins and will fill them with confidence.
"These last-minute winners have happened in the whole of the Premier League's history, the top teams get tested and the other teams are trying to stop you from winning the league. These moments Arsenal have been through shows they have been tested and have overcome it.
"Arsenal could have easily dropped points in the Aston Villa and Bournemouth games, and they didn't, people will keep saying they'll crumble but I'm not so sure now. From a manager's perspective, Bournemouth is a step in the right direction and Arteta will be very happy with the result."
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