Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in Bournemouth ahead of their decisive Premier League showdown with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium tonight.
The Gunners strengthened their grip at the top of the table after edging Burnley 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz netted the only goal of the encounter in the 37th minute, helping Arsenal move five points ahead of City.
Following the victory, Arteta was questioned about whether he would be supporting Bournemouth, knowing that any slip-up from Manchester City could hand Arsenal the league title.
He replied: “The biggest ever. For Andoni [Iraola] and all the players, and all the people who are supporters of Bournemouth, I think we all are. We know that means tomorrow they get our support.”
The Arsenal boss also spoke highly of Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, insisting the Spaniard does not require any extra motivation ahead of what will be his final home game in charge of the Cherries before departing this summer.
Arteta said: “I don’t think he needs it. What he’s done in that football club, the transformation, and what they are playing for, I don’t think they need anything else. When you look at how Burnley played today, the spirit that they showed, how difficult they made it, so imagine tomorrow.”
Arsenal’s title challenge had previously suffered a major blow after consecutive defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City shortly after the international break. However, the North London side has bounced back strongly with four consecutive league victories.
Meanwhile, Manchester City recently dropped valuable points in a dramatic 3-3 away draw against Everton, leaving Arsenal with renewed belief in the race for the title despite City having played an extra fixture.
Bournemouth head into the clash in outstanding form, currently enjoying a remarkable 17-match unbeaten streak that has lifted them to sixth place in the standings. The South Coast side remains firmly in contention for a Champions League spot, sitting four points clear of an inconsistent Liverpool.
With European qualification within reach, Bournemouth will be highly motivated to produce another strong performance in front of their supporters. Iraola, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season following the expiration of his contract, will also be eager to end his tenure on a memorable note.
Despite Bournemouth’s impressive run, Manchester City remain a formidable challenge. Guardiola’s side, with the manager also preparing to leave this summer, will be determined to keep the title race alive until the final day by ending Bournemouth’s unbeaten momentum.
