Mikel Arteta 'inspired' by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp to lead Arsenal to title glory | OneFootball

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Mikel Arteta believes competing with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola has forced him to “seek excellence” as he bids to lead Arsenal to a first Premier League title in 20 years.

The Gunners are currently top of the table with two games to go, although Manchester City have a game in hand. Arsenal face Manchester United on Sunday and they need Guardiola’s side to slip up against either Fulham, Tottenham or West Ham.

Arsenal have lost just once in their last 16 league games, winning 14 times, but it may still not be enough - and Arteta believes Guardiola and Klopp are raising the bar for himself.

“It’s a challenge but at the same time, it’s very inspiring,” he said.

“When you have two of the best managers in the world [Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp] with two huge clubs, competing and facing them in their eyes and willing to be better than them, you learn from it.

“You challenge yourself and seek excellence because it’s the only way to try to beat them.

“I would say that the fun has to be in trying to win, within that journey. You have to find space and perspective and it has to be driven.

“We are so lucky that we are fighting to win major trophies. The outcome is going to be decided by small details but with that journey you have to really embrace and enjoy the moment.

“We are improving. When you look at the numbers in position with the top teams, it’s really positive.

“We are right in it with two games to go. We need to do what we have to do. We need to go to Old Trafford and perform really well to earn the right to win the game, and if we do that we’re going to be another step closer, but there’s still a lot to do.

“I’m just in a state at the moment where I just think how I have to feel right now to be in the best place to beat Manchester United.

“I’m really enjoying the journey to win. We weren’t in this position for many years and we are right now and I think it’s our duty, our obligation, to really enjoy it, be the best we can be and see where it takes us.”