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Arteta sends message to Arsenal squad after reclaiming lead in title race

Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
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The Gunners returned to winning ways on Tuesday by beating Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged his players to enjoy and make the most of their opportunity to challenge for the Premier League title.

Following a four-match winless run, Arsenal ended their barren streak by cruising past London rivals Chelsea in a comfortable 3-1 home win.

The victory moved them back on top of the Premier League standings, two points clear of second-placed Manchester City – albeit having played two more games than their title rivals.

“It is four games to go, we are at the top right now,” Arteta said after the final whistle at the Emirates.

“We cannot do that [let heads drop], to be where we are after 10 months against the team we are fighting against, being there and having the possibility to be top – we have to enjoy it and embrace it, maximize the opportunity that we have because we don’t know what is going to happen.

“We wanted to have a very different approach to the game, and we did it right from the beginning.

“The team is back to its best. We wanted to prove we had that fire in the belly. I could see that in the last few days, and we prepared (for) the game well. Mentally we arrived in the right mood and with the right level of energy. Everything went for us as well, which is important.

“We’ve had a couple of difficult weeks with very different games, with a lot of emotions involved. We’re back to the top of the league – let’s see what happens.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard scored a brace before Gabriel Jesus wrapped up the three points with a third goal before the break. Noni Madueke pulled a goal back for Chelsea, but it proved nothing more than a mere consolation strike for Frank Lampard’s side.

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