Liverpool moved nine points clear of Arsenal after a resounding 5-0 win over West Ham. Arsenal can close the gap if they beat Brentford, but they will have played a game more than Liverpool.
The Gunners (Arsenal's nickname) are currently in good form, unbeaten in their last 11 matches, including 8 wins.
Asked how difficult it would be to catch Liverpool, Arteta replied: "I don't know, it's not up to us.
We have to keep going like a hammer, we have to be in the race every day, every day. If Liverpool win all the games, we congratulate them, go to the next season. But if they don't, we have to step up."
After missing out on the Premier League title in the final weeks of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal lost again to Man City a year later despite a very impressive run of form.
Arsenal have shown that they are unlucky in the title race, but Arteta believes that they are capable of competing with their rivals for the top spot. The Spanish strategist stressed that Arsenal must prove that they are capable of competing for the title, despite the challenging circumstances, when there are many matches with fewer players, injuries, and many matches.
“Arsenal are evolving, adapting to new circumstances. Now we have another circumstance, which is more games with less players. So let's face it,” Arteta added.
Arsenal will play away at Brentford at 0:30 on January 2. According to Sky Sports, Brentford have suffered many injuries this season and therefore it is difficult to maintain stability.
With seven wins from nine games, Brentford have the best home record in the league but have been unable to maintain that form away from home, finishing bottom of the table alongside Southampton, having picked up just two points away from home, without a win.
Coach Thomas Frank is currently without Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer and new signing Igor Thiago, while Gustavo Nunes is yet to make his debut.
Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva are all long-term absentees, adding to Frank's worries.
There was better injury news elsewhere as Frank confirmed Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jensen are fit to return against Arsenal.
