Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised the “unbelievable” mindset of his players as the Premier League title race intensifies.
With just three matches remaining this season, Arsenal have a one-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, although the reigning Premier League champions have a game in hand.
Arsenal play the match against Bournemouth nearly a week after their 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, but Arteta told TNT Sports that he had no issue with keeping the motivation up among his squad.
“The mood [after the Spurs win] was really, really high,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere after the match and I want to build that momentum.
“Now we are at home against a really tough opponent. We’re going to get it done.
“I think the mindset of the players is unbelievable. They want more. They’re not satisfied, and they understand that they’re going to have to raise the level each week to have the chance to win it. And that’s what they’re focusing on.”
Arteta was also complimentary of Bournemouth, who have risen to 10th in the table under manager Andoni Iraola. They are seeking a third successive victory against Arsenal, having defeated both Wolves and Brighton in the past couple of weeks.
“Their approach is a really aggressive, really intense team,” Arteta said. “Very clear principles, how they want to attack and defend.
“We’ll try to take the game where we want basically, and they will try to do the opposite, like every opponent. We’ll try to be as dominant as we’ve been and use the fact that we play at home, which for us is a really important one.”
Arteta and Iraola have known each other since childhood, having both played for Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea in San Sebastian during the 1990s.
“He was an unbelievable player,” Arteta said. “He had an incredible career. Now as a coach, what he’s doing, I think deserves a lot of recognition because it’s inspirational.
“Coming to the Premier League and what he’s done with that team is unbelievable.”
Arteta shared that he had advised his players to “stay present and live in the moment” as the Premier League title race reached its most crucial point.
“Focus on the things that we control – that can make us better and make us the team that we are,” he said. “If we do that we have a really good chance.”
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