Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal side that they must earn between 96 and 100 points to win the Premier League title this term.
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Arteta wants between 96 and 100 pointsArsenal can only lose three more gamesInvincibles only won 90 pointsWHAT HAPPENED?
Arteta has set the Gunners a remarkable target that would see them outstrip the Invincibles, who earned 90 points. The club currently have 33 points and the reports that they would only be able to lose three more games to reach the Spaniard's target of between 96 and 100 points. Winning the remainder of their matches – while potentially fanciful – would see them land 105 points; City set a record of 100 points in 2017/18, when they lost just twice in 38 games.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal are currently two points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with 33 points, and have lost just once this season, to Newcastle at St James' Park. Last season's champions, City, have slipped to third after three successive draws, and they have also lost twice this season, leaving them with 30 points.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Arteta told reporters: “Do I have a target? Yes. 96-100 I think you win the league. That is the cushion.”
Asked about the recent downturn of City's form, after their 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday, Arteta said: "Do I take encouragment from that? No. The encouragement comes from watching the team play, watching them behave every day and how hungry and willing they are to approach every training session. That’s what gives me encouragement. What the others do is something that we cannot control.”
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
If they are to only lose three more games this season, they will have to come through a difficult festive period. Before the turn of the year, Arsenal play Aston Villa and Liverpool, two teams in the top four, while also taking in tricky clashes with Brighton and West Ham.