Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino says the club are not thinking about the Premier League title after falling nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
The 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend saw the Gunners’ winless run in the league extend to four matches and leave Mikel Arteta’s side well off the pace.
Arsenal have been runners-up to Manchester City in each of the last two seasons but it is new boss Arne Slot setting the tone for the Reds this time around.
“Personally I don’t think about the title,” said Merino.
“Right now we’re at a moment where we have to think about the next step, the next training session, the next game and don’t look too much ahead of ourselves.
“The small steps are the ones that are going to build the long run.”
At least 90 points has been required to be crowned champions in six of the least eight seasons, with Liverpool only dropping five points from their opening 11 games.
Arsenal – meanwhile – have won just five of their first 11 leaving the Gunners with plenty to do.
“I’m a positive person and I hope for the future that results are coming and this team will grow,” Merino said.
“We don’t have to look at the negatives, we have to look at the positives, we have to look at ourselves and how we want to perform, not start thinking about what’s going to happen if we lose. That’s adding extra pressure.
“We know we have to win every game. We want that and we have to work for that. We have to focus on the present and on ourselves.”
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in their first game back after the international break on 23 November.
