Mikel Arteta’s responses provide a candid assessment of Arsenal’s position in the title race, offering a clear reflection of their current standing and aspirations.

Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal still have room for improvement despite narrowing the gap on league leaders Liverpool. Kai Havertz scored the decisive first-half goal in a hard-fought victory, though the Gunners missed several chances in the second half. The win moved Arsenal into second place, six points behind Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.

Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery for a hamstring injury, which could sideline him for over two months, though the club hopes he will return by late February. While Saka’s absence was felt, Arteta expressed optimism over Raheem Sterling’s quicker-than-expected recovery.

Reflecting on the performance, Arteta said, “Frustration when you win? No. But there are things to improve. We dominated in the first half and should have scored more, but the second half didn’t start well. Credit to the opposition—they were well-organised and tough to break down. Considering the challenges we’ve faced this season, including injuries and playing with 10 men, it’s good to be where we are, but we aim to be first.”

Arteta also emphasized the need to adapt without Saka but praised his team for stepping up. He added, “The group is still evolving, and it will take time for players to fully understand each other. I saw better cohesion in the second half, but it’s a process.”

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We worked hard and grew into the game after a difficult start. In the first half, Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break through apart from the goal. Overall, I’m pleased with our defensive organisation and e

ffort.”