Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that everyone connected to the club has become the ‘biggest Bournemouth fans’ prior to Manchester City’s crucial game on Tuesday night.
Arteta’s team defeated Burnley 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night thanks to Kai Havertz’s second league goal of the season, putting them within one game of clinching the Premier League title.
As a result, the title race could be decided on the last day of the season. Arsenal’s destiny, however, is largely dependent on City losing their upcoming match against Bournemouth.
The game creates an intriguing subtext because Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth, is a close personal friend of the Arsenal manager.
Arteta Hopeful Bournemouth Will Upset Man City
During his post-match press conference, Arteta acknowledged that he would be fastened to the TV at home with his family, hoping his lifelong friend might do him a huge favour.
“We are the biggest fans of Andoni and all the players and all the people that are supporters of Bournemouth,” Arteta said as quoted by London Football News.
“I think we all are, because we know that means a lot if tomorrow they can get a result for us.”
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In response to a question about whether he would be texting Iraola directly on Tuesday morning to encourage him, Arteta stated that, considering the excellent work he has managed on the south coast this year, his countryman doesn’t need any additional encouragement.
“I don’t think it’s needed,” Arteta added. “What he’s done in that football club, the transformation, and what they are playing for—I don’t think they need anything else.
“When you look at how Burnley played today, the spirit that they showed and how difficult they made it, you can imagine what it will be like tomorrow.”
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