Mikel Arteta hints at why he thinks Arsenal are so far behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race

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Liverpool took another step towards the Premier League title on Saturday without even playing as Arsenal failed to win again.

The Gunners picked up a remarkable result in midweek, smashing European champions Real Madrid 3-0.

But with their focus on the second-leg in Madrid on Wednesday, Arsenal faltered again in the Premier League. A 1-1 draw with Brentford was greeted with delight by every Liverpool fan.

The result now means Liverpool need just three more wins from their final seven games to secure the championship.

Given how good Arsenal looked in Europe just days ago, it was surprising to see them fall against a mid-table Premier League side.

And after seeing his team disappoint once again, manager Mikel Arteta attempted to explain the current gulf between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta blaming injuries for Liverpool gap

Arsenal did move one point closer to Liverpool with their draw on Saturday. But if the Reds push their lead to 13 points by beating West Ham on Sunday, it will feel almost over.

Arne Slot is surely now destined to win the Premier League at the first time of asking.

It will be a stunning achievement from the Liverpool head coach, but according to Arteta, there are ‘a lot of reasons’ his team have not been able to compete this season.

“Yes it is difficult because obviously there are a lot of reasons why we are with that distance [to Liverpool in the Premier League] and the amount of things that we have to deal with,” Arteta said.

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“Still we are where we but yeah, we want to be higher, that’s for sure.”

Reading between the lines, it appears Arteta pinning Arsenal’s Premier League failures on ‘the amount of things that we have to deal with’ is a reference to his team’s injuries. No credit given to Liverpool here.

When can Liverpool win the Premier League?

Despite Arteta being unwilling to hand credit to Liverpool at this juncture, it’s clear that the Reds have been by far and away the best team in the division this season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	31	22	7	2	72	30	42	73
2	ArsenalArsenal	32	17	12	3	57	27	30	63
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	32	17	6	9	51	38	13	57
4	Man CityManchester City	32	16	7	9	62	42	20	55

That is illustrated by the fact they could secure the title as early as next weekend.

If Liverpool win their games against West Ham and Leicester and Arsenal lose at Ipswich, it will all be done and dusted.

That feels unlikely, with the more probable scenario that three wins does it for Liverpool. By beating West Ham, Leicester and then Tottenham, the Reds would wrap up the title on Sunday, April 27th.

It is now very much a case of when and not if Liverpool win this Premier League. And whatever Arteta thinks of his team’s luck, the Reds could not be more deserving winners.