Bukayo Saka has highlighted the lack of consistency in media talk about Arsenal’s title chances, insisting the team are just focusing on winning each and every game.
Arsenal have entered the November international break at the top of the Premier League table, in the League Cup quarter-finals, and only second to Bayern Munich in the Champions League table on goals scored.
Yet it wasn’t so long ago that the Gunners had fallen five points behind Liverpool and were “out of the race”, and some people were just as pessimistic following Sunderland’s late equaliser last Saturday.
When asked about whether or not Arsenal are title favourites, Bukayo Saka pointed out that talk of “favourites” seems to go back and forth constantly.
“That’s for other people to say,” Saka insisted. “We just have to win every game, that’s the mentality we go into the games with.
“See where it leaves us, we can’t get carried away with what people are saying. Because one day they’ll say something, the next day they’ll say something different. People’s opinions and thoughts about us change like the weather.
“The most important thing is the changing room, how solid we are, the foundation we have, the belief we have in ourselves. How we stick together, through the good and bad, that’s the most important.
“We can’t pay attention to the external noise because it’s always fluctuating. We’re good, we’re in a good place, and now it’s time to focus on international duty.”
Arsenal fans will hope that Saka doesn’t stress himself too much in this week’s internationals, what with England having already qualified for the World Cup.
Technically, Thomas Tuchel’s side have two competitive games coming up against Serbia and away to Albania, but they’re only playing for pride and the spirit of competition at this point. Nothing can change their status as group winners.
By contrast, Arsenal have three huge games upon Saka’s return, with the Gunners hosting Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich before travelling away to Chelsea.
If Mikel Arteta’s side are truly to establish themselves as Premier League and Champions League title contenders, this is the time to make that statement.