‘No excuses’ for Arsenal in title bid, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal can have no excuses if they do not win the Premier League title for the first time in two decades after strengthening their squad during the January transfer window.Arteta splashed out more than £50mn ($61 million) on three new signings as the club look to hold onto their lead at the top of the table, bringing in Italy midfielder Jorginho, Belgium forward Leandro Trossard and Poland defender Jakub Kiwior.The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand on the champions and Arteta knows his side are perfectly placed to win the club’s first English title since 2004. Arteta was asked yesterday about whether there would now be no excuses if Arsenal failed to get over the line. "If you want to put it that way, that’s fine," he said. "What we have to do is train really well and win, and play well to win. That’s the only thing we can do."Arsenal would have spent even more on new signings last month but they missed out on Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who instead joined Chelsea, and Brighton’s highly rated midfielder Moises Caicedo. Despite those frustrations, Arteta is pleased with the backing he received from the Arsenal hierarchy."I’m really happy with what we’ve done," Arteta said ahead of today’s trip to struggling Everton. "We knew that in this market you have to adapt and be flexible and ready for inconvenience. We’ve done that and the most important thing is the profile of the person, and the quality that we bring in makes us better. We had three main key areas of positions that we wanted to improve and fulfil. It was tricky but positive in the end."Arteta received more good news yesterday, with the confirmation that Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has signed a new long-term contract. Martinelli has scored seven league goals this season and the 21-year-old has given Arteta a genuine threat down the left flank. "It is great news," Arteta said. "He is a player with enormous potential that still has so many things to improve but is already performing at a really high level."He revealed England forward Bukayo Saka and French defender William Saliba could also be in line for new contracts soon. Arsenal have yet to win at Goodison Park under Arteta and the Spaniard knows Everton could get a boost from the appointment of new boss Sean Dyche."We have the experience in the last few years about how tough it has been, and we didn’t get the results that we wanted," said the Spaniard, who once played for Everton. "When there is a new manager the environment will change, so it’s going to be a really tough test."The contrast in mood between Arsenal and Everton fans could hardly be starker ahead of their meeting at Goodison Park.Everton were the only Premier League club not to make a January signing and former Burnley boss Sean Dyche knows he has a mountain to climb. The Toffees’ 69-year stay in the English top flight is at severe risk and further protests from supporters against the club’s board are planned for after the match. "There’s a big challenge ahead but one I’m ready for and want to take on," Dyche said. "We want to change the shape of this club going forwards, remodel it in our style, but remodel it in a way we can win."

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Today: Everton v Arsenal (1230), Aston Villa v Leicester, Brentford v Southampton, Brighton v Bournemouth, Man Utd v Crystal Palace, Wolves v Liverpool (all 1500), Newcastle v West Ham (1730)Tomorrow: Nottingham Forest v Leeds (1400), Tottenham v Man City (1630)