Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to 'break' alarming Premier League hoodoo, says Gunners 'open to every option' in January transfer window
By Leon Imber
Updated 02/01/2026 at 14:10 GMT
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Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to "break" a concerning hoodoo by seeing through their dominant first half of the season to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. Manchester City's draw with Sunderland on New Year's Day meant Arsenal are now four points clear at the summit, and Arteta's side face 15th-placed Bournemouth in search of a fifth successive league win.
'Let's break it' - Arteta bullish over hopes of ending unwanted Arsenal title record
Video credit: SNTV
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has urged his side to snap an alarming hoodoo which pulls their Premier League title credentials into question.
Remarkably, Arsenal have failed to win the Premier League title in the last five seasons in which they sat top of the table on New Year's Day.
Arteta, though, feels his squad are displaying all the right attributes in order to rubbish that statistic and create history for the north London club - having not won the English top-flight since 2004.
Asked about the unwanted record, Arteta replied: "Let's break it."
And on the desperation of the Arsenal squad to change their fortunes, Arteta added: "That's what they transmit every single day. You can see the desire and energy, how much they want it.
"[There are] still five months to go, enjoy it day-by-day, and enjoy the process we're in.
"We're really happy with the position we are. It can always be better, there are things to improve. The only thing we look at is Bournemouth, the next game. We are still in early January, another five months to go. We have to do much more."
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Arsenal hold a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City after Pep Guardiola's side were held to a 0-0 draw with Sunderland on New Year's Day, and face 15th-placed Bournemouth on Saturday - Andoni Iraola's side are currently on a 10-match winless streak.
Arteta's team have finished as runners-up in the past three Premier League campaigns, and are searching for just a second trophy during the Spaniard's time in charge - the last piece of major silverware coming in the form of the 2019/20 FA Cup.
And the Arsenal head coach is now able to call upon a vaster pool of players, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel returning from injuries, having contended with a number of absences through the first half of the campaign.
"It helps the team, it helps every individual. I think that's what we want to have, the options, with the manner of the games we have and the schedule," Arteta said.
"So far we haven't had the options, so I'm looking forward to having everybody performing and being able to change profiles and to change them during the game as well, to pick the best players in the best condition every time."
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Arteta added that Arsenal are "open to every option" in the January transfer window to improve his squad, whether it be through short-term relief or a long-term project.
"Obviously, if we can find a solution that is short, medium and long, it’s always much better because it gives you stability, and you don’t have to constantly start a process with a new player, but let’s see what happens," Arteta said.
"Let’s see what the news is in the next few weeks and we’ll try to make the right decision."
Meanwhile, Arteta sent his wishes to departed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who left the club on New Year's Day after slipping to fifth in the Premier League table and a reported rift in the Italian's relationship with the hierarchy.
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"I wish him all the best," Arteta said. "I really like Enzo as a person, as a professional, I think he’s done a terrific job at Chelsea. That’s a decision that has been made and I just wish him all the best."
Chelsea - who have yet to appoint a successor with Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior touted as the primary candidate - face Man City on Sunday.
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