There is a long way to go – Mikel Arteta won’t get distracted by top-four talk

Mikel Arteta told his Arsenal side to use the “scar” of their defeat to Brentford as motivation for their reunion on Saturday.

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Brentford in the first game of the Premier League season, with a Covid-19 outbreak depleting their ranks.

The Gunners have bounced back since then and they are now sixth in the Premier League and just two points off Manchester United in fourth.

Arsenal closed the gap to United on Saturday with a win over Brentford at Emirates Stadium, as goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka gave them a 2-1 victory.