Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta has stated that his team will not concede defeat in the race for the Premier League title, despite suffering a setback that has left them 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to West Ham United last weekend, Arteta emphasized, “Over my dead body” when asked about giving up on the championship chase.

Arsenal, currently in second place, still holds a game in hand over Liverpool, and will need to capitalize on every opportunity to close the gap. Arteta noted the challenges the team has faced this season, including significant injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz. “If somebody tells you at the start of the season that you play five times with a red card, over half an hour in each of those games, and you have lost this amount of players... you’re in the middle of the table at least,” Arteta remarked, highlighting the resilience and ambition of his squad.

Despite the setback against West Ham, the Gunners had previously shown consistent performance, winning 10 and drawing 5 of their last 15 matches, mirroring Liverpool’s form. Arteta stated, “The reality is, there's so many games to play. And you have to get back to it. We have the levels, the consistency and the hunger to go again.”

As Arsenal prepares for their crucial match against third-placed Nottingham Forest, Arteta remains hopeful that they can achieve what would be a remarkable turnaround in the remaining fixtures of the Premier League season.

For more details, visit BBC and Reuters.