Mikel Arteta sends strong response to Arsenal 'bottling' claims ahead of Newcastle clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to claims that the Gunners bottled their chance to win the Premier League title this season

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has had his say on claims that his side bottled the Premier League title this season.

The north London outfit sat eight points clear at the top of the table less than a month ago, albeit having played one more game than title rivals Manchester City. But a run of four games without a win saw Arteta's men relinquish their advantage over Pep Guardiola's side, who now sit one point clear at the top of the pile with their game in hand still to play.

"We try to do our best and make our people as proud as possible and try as hard as possible to win the games. That’s what we have to do.

‌“It’s what happens in this league when you make errors. The teams punish you. Sometimes we get lucky and they don’t.

"But it happened in the last few games when we have made those errors that the teams have punished us and it cost us points, that’s for sure.”

Next up for Arteta and co is a clash against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, with a win over the Magpies guaranteeing a top-two finish for the visitors this term.