Mikel Arteta is refusing to allow complacency to creep in, even after Arsenal dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at their own ground, reclaiming a five-point lead atop the Premier League.
The Gunners produced one of the most dominant North London derby performances in recent memory, yet Arteta’s message remained consistent with the one he has stressed all season: the race is far from over.
Speaking after the match, he emphasized the ongoing challenge.
“This is a marathon. It is far from over,” he told the Premier League, delivering his assessment with the calm intensity of a coach determined not to let his team relax prematurely.
“We know this is the Premier League, we know that it is going to go all the way to the end. Ten matches in the Premier League is a long marathon.”
He paused only to acknowledge what his players had just achieved. “I am really happy and really proud about the way we approached the game. The initiative, the composure, the quality we showed. It is never easy to come here and win. In the manner we have done it, I think the boys deserve a lot of credit.”