Arteta tells Gunners they must be wary of the bottom line

 

Ben Rumsby
Wednesday 11 April 2012 10:21 BST
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Mikel Arteta celebrates scoring the winner agains Manchester City on Sunday
Mikel Arteta celebrates scoring the winner agains Manchester City on Sunday (AFP/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal have had enough wake-up calls against so-called lesser opponents this season to ensure they will take nothing for granted in tonight's fixture at Molineux against the Premier League's bottom club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arsenal are strong favourites to tighten further their grip on third place and the final automatic Champions League spot. Wolves have lost their last six matches, while Arsenal have won seven of their last eight.

The Gunners' one blip in that spell came at Queen's Park Rangers just over a week ago, the latest shock defeat for Arsène Wenger's men away from home this season following surprise setbacks at Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Swansea City.

Arteta said: "I don't think it will be easy at Wolves. We have some good examples this year when we have dropped points against teams near the bottom. We have to go there with the right mentality and right approach and a sense of pride. When you're playing away from home, there are no easy games in the Premier League."

Arteta has been key to Arsenal's resurgence in the last month and a half, including netting the winner in Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City. Wenger signed Arteta from Everton shortly before last summer's transfer window closed, to add experience to his squad, and it has proved an astute piece of business.

Wenger said: "[Arteta] likes the game we play, he respects the game. I believe as well that one of the qualities he has that is not always appreciated at its right level is the focus. He has consistent focus from the first to the last minute to win, and that takes advantage of every mistake the opponent can make. His goal [against Man City] typifies that because he wins the ball as well as scores."

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