Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side can stay in the race for the Premier League title if they do their job – starting against West Ham on Saturday.

Liverpool remain clear favourites, leading the way by eight points, but they have now played a game more than the Gunners and have dropped points against Everton and Aston Villa.

On Sunday they play Manchester City and Arteta knows that the picture could change quickly.

He said: “We have to do our job. It’s going to be a tough one tomorrow.

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“If we do that we will be looking at that game on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester City.

“There are 13 games to go, there is a lot to play for. We need to be there. We are very experienced in the Premier league and know how difficult every opponent is.”

Arsenal finished as runners up to City in the past two seasons, losing the title by two points in 2024 and five points the year before.

Whether they can sustain a challenge this year may hinge on finding a forward option – midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to score twice at Leicester last weekend but Arteta would not hint whether the Spain international would feature in attack again.

He said: “No, I haven’t spoken to him or to other players. I want the players when they are on that pitch taking the initiative.

“We trained the last few weeks with different players up front. He [Merino] has been one of them, with other players as well.”