'We must be like a hammer' - Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal players how to hunt down Premier League leaders Liverpool

Liverpool hold a commanding eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as the new year begins. The Merseyside club also has a game in hand over Nottingham Forest, who sit second, while Arsenal trail Forest by one point. However, with both Arsenal and Liverpool having played an equal number of matches, Arteta remains optimistic about his team's chances.

Liverpool's impressive campaign under new head coach Arne Slot has seen them lose just one of their 18 league fixtures so far. And using the metaphor of a 'hammer', Arteta encouraged his players to remain steadfast, emphasising that consistency and effort could still keep them in the title race.

"We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season," he told reporters.

"But if they don’t [win all their games] - which in history it hasn’t happened - then we will be there."

Arsenal’s January fixtures are set to challenge the depth and resilience of their squad. The Gunners will play nine matches in just 29 days, starting with a crucial trip to Brentford on New Year’s Day. Arteta expressed confidence in his team's ability to navigate the intense schedule and come out unscathed.

"We are going to have to prove it," he said. "We’re proven that already this season, I’m sure of that. If this had happened last season, the number off games we’ve played with ten men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competition we are in now. So, for sure, the team has made another step, the team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So, let’s face it."

As Arsenal prepare to face Brentford, Arteta acknowledged the formidable home record of Thomas Frank's side, with the Bees winning seven and drawing once in nine league games - a record bettered only by Liverpool owing to their superior goal difference. Arteta is fully aware of the difficulty Brentford presents and stressed the importance of a strong start to the year.

"Very tough, a really good team," said Arteta, when asked about Brentford. "If you see their record at home until last week, it’s remarkable and they evolved and adapted as well with the qualities in the team with the players they have in the team. Very impressed."