Arteta Motivates Arsenal to End New Year Premier League Hoodoo

Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to shatter their New Year misfortune while the team fights for their first Premier League trophy in over 20 years.

The Gunners lead by four points ahead of Manchester City in second place at the season's midpoint, positioning them as frontrunners for a 14th English top-flight victory.

Yet in the last five instances over the past 23 years when they topped the standings at year's end, they ultimately fell short of the championship.

The latest such disappointment occurred three years back, with Arteta's squad ending the season five points adrift of Pep Guardiola's City side.

On Friday, ahead of the Gunners' away match against Bournemouth, the Arsenal manager revealed he was unaware of the frustrating trend but declared: "We must end it."

Arteta noted that his squad is eager to secure the English title for the first time since 2004, following three consecutive second-place finishes.

"Every day in training or during matches, they show that ambition," he explained.

"The drive is evident, along with the effort they invest, and that is precisely what we require.

"With five months remaining, we approach it one day at a time, savour our current standing, and push forward."

Arteta described his players as upbeat following their 4-1 thrashing of third-placed Villa at the Emirates on Tuesday, especially after City were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Sunderland two days prior.

"It was excellent, particularly after facing strong rivals and delivering that kind of performance and victory," the Arsenal head coach remarked.

"(Now we) turn attention to Bournemouth. We recognise the challenge ahead in tomorrow's fixture, and all will be fully committed." 

The Spanish coach expressed satisfaction with the team's halfway position but emphasised: "There is always room for enhancement.

"We clearly have areas to refine, and the key is that each upcoming match matters, plus beating any rival is never straightforward."

Arsenal have contended with numerous injuries throughout the campaign.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes and striker Gabriel Jesus have returned to fitness, though Arteta might still lack Declan Rice for the Bournemouth visit on Saturday.

The England international sat out the Villa triumph due to a knee issue.

"We hold another session today," Arteta stated. "We will assess his condition later and how it feels, but the previous match came too soon for him."