Arteta makes strong demand from Arsenal stars ahead of north London derby

Mikel Arteta has demanded that his Arsenal players show more ruthlessness when they take on Tottenham in the north London derby on Thursday night.

This comes after the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners against Leeds on Sunday afternoon in a result that saw them move four points clear ahead of fifth-place Tottenham.

Arsenal raced to a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes after Eddie Nketiah bagged a rare brace that put his side on the front foot. A red card for Leeds captain Lukas Ayling had the relegation-threatened Whites looking done and dusted but it was far from it.

A goal from Diego Llorente in the second half set up a tense finish but Arsenal held on to their lead, securing three vital points that could be bigger in the grand scheme of things.

While the Gunners were not punished for failing to take their chances and bury the game, it could be a different approach against a team like Tottenham.

The North London derby is always a tense affair but the latest installment could be one of the most anticipated in recent years, given what is at stake for both sides. In a game that could mean more than just bragging rights, Mikel Arteta wants his Arsenal players to be at their best, especially in front of goal.

Mikel Arteta’s strong request

A victory for Arsenal over Tottenham would see the Gunners seal a Champions League spot for the first time since 2017 and Mikel Arteta is eagerly anticipating that outcome.

“That we score the third and the fourth goals, that we be that ruthless team and that they don’t give absolutely anything to the opponent”, the Arsenal boss responded when asked about his approach for the Spurs game.

“We will play Spurs with the same attitude.”

"We are going to go for that match with the same enthusiasm that we always do but knowing that this can be a defining moment,"

"It can be another layer of motivation for us to really go for it. I can't wait for the game.

"We have earned the right to play that game in that context. We started the season with nine or 10 players out and playing against the best two teams in Europe."

Indeed, Arsenal have been one of the most-consistent sides in the Premier League this season and their 21 wins is only bettered by title-chasers Liverpool and Manchester City.

In the wake of a new contract for Mikel Arteta, leading the club back to the Champions will be a positive step in the right direction.

If fourth place is enough to do the trick, Arsenal can still get third place if results go their way, seeing as they are only a point behind third place Chelsea.

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