Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League title might be 'realistically' out of the club's reach.
Gunners playmaker believes 12 points might be too big
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League title might be 'realistically' out of the club's reach.
The Gunners had been in fine form recently, but slipped to defeat against leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
The north Londoners are now 12 points behind Roberto Mancini's men 16 games into the Premier League season.
Arteta is not giving up hope completely and is taking things one game at a time, starting with Wednesday's clash against Aston Villa.
Realistic
"I think we need to be realistic," he told
Arsenal Player.
"It will be really tough to [make up] 12 points on Man City from here until the end of the season because they haven't dropped many points until now. But you never know in football. We can only go game by game and try to put pressure on them.
"The main thing is to focus on the football. We know that if we get through this period and get all the points then we will have a really good chance to be fighting for something at the end of the season. We know how important that is for the club."
Smile
Arsenal have been paired with Italian giants AC Milan in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, although the Spaniard smiled when the teams were drawn.
The former Everton playmaker is relishing the mouth-watering clash, stating it is going to be an exciting game even though the Rossoneri are arguably the hardest group runners-up.
"I smiled when the draw was made because I think it's a really good game to play," he continued.
"It makes it more exciting to play a team like Milan. Any team at this stage of the Champions League is going to be tough, even if people think you are favourites. I like playing against teams like this and we've got a good chance, so let's play. All the boys feel the same. If we have to play them, so be it, and let's try to win.
"This is exactly why I came to Arsenal. In your career you want to have moments like this. You don't face them every day so we have to take this special opportunity."
