Arsenal go into Thursday night’s huge Premier League clash against Liverpool sitting proudly at the top of the table. The Gunners are leading the race for the title and have already collected more points and scored more goals at this stage than the famous 2003–04 Invincibles team. But despite the excitement around North London, Mikel Arteta is refusing to get carried away.
Ahead of the showdown with the reigning champions, the Arsenal manager made one thing very clear. Comparisons with Arsène Wenger’s legendary Invincibles are far too early. For Arteta, history is not about short runs or impressive numbers in January. It is about winning, again and again, until silverware is secured.
Arsenal fans have every reason to dream. The team has shown consistency, discipline, and hunger this season. The Emirates has become a fortress, and belief is growing with every match. Still, Arteta is choosing caution over hype as the pressure of a title race increases.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta was directly asked if this Arsenal side can be compared to Wenger’s unbeaten champions. His answer was blunt and honest. “No, because the Invincibles won a lot,” he said.
The Spaniard explained that greatness is earned over time, not measured halfway through a season. “And they won consistently, and they created a history and a legacy, and we have to do that,” Arteta added, underlining the gap between promise and proof.
While Arsenal chase glory, Liverpool arrive in North London having endured a difficult and disappointing campaign. Their title defense has faded badly, leaving them 14 points behind Arsenal ahead of this crucial fixture. For many observers, the gap is shocking given Liverpool’s status and spending power.
Despite Liverpool’s struggles, Arteta was quick to show respect. He refused to underestimate a club that has dominated English football in recent years. For him, league position does not tell the full story.
“The margins I think for all of us are really small, we always talk about that,” Arteta said. His words highlighted how fine the line is between success and failure at the top level of the Premier League.
He continued by praising Liverpool’s setup and leadership. “They have a great manager, they have a sensational structure,” Arteta explained, making it clear that he sees danger even in a struggling opponent.
Arteta also pointed out Liverpool’s tactical flexibility. He stressed that Arne Slot can change things quickly depending on the players he chooses. “They can play in different ways,” he said, warning that Arsenal must be fully prepared.
Because of this, Arteta insists his players must focus on themselves rather than Liverpool’s problems. He believes preparation, concentration, and execution will decide the game, not league position or recent form.
When asked if he was surprised by how far Liverpool have fallen behind, especially after spending more than £400 million on new players in the summer, Arteta gave a thoughtful response. He refused to judge success only by money.
“I don’t know,” Arteta admitted. He reminded everyone that football is unpredictable. “The previous year they didn’t spend much and they managed to win the Premier League,” he said, proving that spending alone does not guarantee trophies.
Arteta explained that winning a title requires near perfection. Injuries, squad issues, and bad timing can destroy even the strongest plans. “You need a lot of things to go your way to be champions,” he said.
He added that every team goes through difficult phases. “The moment you have issues around the squad or with players injured or whatever it is, then it is not that perfect,” Arteta noted, speaking from experience.
Even so, Arteta rejected the idea that money does not matter in the long term. He believes history shows that clubs with strong squads and high investment usually succeed over time.
“There are a lot of stories,” he said, especially when people talk about wages and squad quality. But he reminded everyone that success over many seasons usually follows spending. “That’s the history of the Premier League,” Arteta insisted.
As attention turns to the pitch, Arsenal have received a potential boost. Kai Havertz could return after a long spell out. The German has trained again and is close to full fitness.
“We are monitoring his load,” Arteta confirmed. He explained that Havertz has been out for a long time for two different reasons, but progress has been positive.
“He’s very close,” Arteta said. “He trained this morning again. Hopefully we’re going to have him available and the best version of himself.” His return could be vital as the title race intensifies.
Thursday night is more than just another league game. It is a test of Arsenal’s maturity, focus, and belief. A win would strengthen their claim as real title contenders, not just hopeful challengers.
For now, Arteta’s message is simple. Arsenal are building something special, but history demands patience. Until trophies are lifted and seasons are completed, the Invincibles remain unmatched.
