Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits the Premier League title is currently not in their hands despite closing the gap to Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners came from behind to beat Brentford 3-1, with Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli all got on the scoresheet, with Arsenal’s second-half performance in particular catching the eye.
Bryan Mbeumo netted the opener early on, beating former Bee David Raya at his near post.
But Jesus capitalised on a defensive lapse in concentration before the break, nodding past Mark Flekken.
Merino scored a scrappy goal from a set piece to put the Gunners ahead, before Martinelli sealed the victory a few minutes later.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “It’s a big win. They’re a really good side, very well coached and they’ve been exceptional at home.
“We could’ve signed a player from any country, but he would be playing.”
Mikel Arteta was delighted with the Ethan Nwaneri’s performance in Bukayo Saka’s absence 👏
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“Especially when you go a goal down early in the game it becomes a mountain to climb, but the team remained patient. We had to manage the situation emotionally.
“We started really well, we took advantage of that and we were very clinical in the box. We probably had to step back a little bit but we looked OK.
“We can only win our next match and see what happens. It’s (Premier League title) not in our hands, but what is in our hands we need to make sure we do it.”
With the January transfer window now open, Arteta was asked whether he will be looking to do business in an effort to close the gap to Liverpool beyond six points.
He added: “At the moment it is looking after the players and get the best out of them. At the moment our focus is our players.
“I really like my players and I believe in what we have as there’s a lot of quality and commitment.”
