Mikel Arteta has issued a defiant rallying cry to his Arsenal squad, urging them to consign a notorious piece of history to the past as they lead the Premier League into 2025. The Gunners start the new year at the summit but have a well-documented record of failing to convert that position into a title.
The Unwanted New Year's Day Record
Following Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Arsenal now hold a four-point advantage over their closest rivals with exactly half the season played. However, the north London club has been in this promising position five times before in the Premier League era—in 2008, 2014, 2016, 2022, and 2023—only to fall short on each occasion.
Their last championship triumph came in 2004 with the legendary 'Invincibles', who were actually chasing Manchester United at the turn of that year. Arteta admitted he was unaware of the specific statistic but, fresh from a convincing 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, he senses a different mentality in his current crop of players.
"Let's Break It": Arteta's Challenge to His Squad
"Let's break it," declared the Arsenal manager. "I think that's what they transmit every single day when they're with us, in training and every match. You can see their desire, you can see the energy that they put in, how much they want it. And that's what we need."
Arteta emphasised the long road ahead, adding: "There's still five months to go. We take it day by day, enjoy that process of being where we are and go for it." The immediate challenge is a trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Saturday evening, with Manchester City hosting Chelsea 24 hours later.
Injury Blow as Rice Set for Bournemouth Absence
Arsenal's quest for a vital three points at the Vitality Stadium looks set to be hampered by the continued absence of key midfielder Declan Rice. The England international is struggling with a knee injury sustained in the win over Brighton last week.
The club had hoped swelling would subside in time for the weekend, but he remains a major doubt. Arteta dismissed suggestions that the issue could have been avoided by substituting Rice immediately after the initial impact. "No, no, no," he stated. "He managed to do it. That's normal sometimes. You get a hit, and with adrenaline you are able to sustain that. Then the body reacts, and it reacted probably more than we expected, unfortunately."
As the title race intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Arteta's leaders can maintain their composure and finally rewrite a frustrating chapter in the club's modern history.
