Liverpool took another significant step towards securing the Premier League title after defeating Newcastle 2-0, with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
At the same time, Arsenal’s hopes of catching up took a hit with a disappointing goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
This result has put Liverpool 13 points clear at the top, leaving Arsenal’s boss, Mikel Arteta, with a daunting task ahead if they are to stop Liverpool from claiming their first title in five years.
Arne Slot Keeps Focus on Champions League Despite Premier League Progress
While Liverpool’s position at the top seems almost secure, manager Arne Slot isn’t ready to get ahead of himself.
Slot made it clear that he isn’t thinking about the league title just yet, as his attention has already shifted to their upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking after the game, Slot remarked, “I don’t know because I don’t think that way.
I am thinking about PSG already. I watched them against Manchester City, and I’m impressed by the quality they have; they’re on a similar run to us.”
Slot is fully focused on the next challenge, saying he won’t think about the league again until they face Southampton on March 8.
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Fade as Arteta Reflects on Disappointing Performance
For Arsenal, the dream of winning the league is slipping away, and Arteta’s frustration is palpable.
After the match against Nottingham Forest, the Arsenal boss admitted his side had failed to seize the opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool.
Although he claimed that Arsenal had improved since their home loss to West Ham last weekend, Arteta acknowledged that his team couldn’t handle the pressure when it mattered most.
In his post-match comments, Arteta also seemed to shift his focus towards Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, emphasizing the importance of their upcoming clash with PSV Eindhoven.
“We have a beautiful competition in front of us, and we need to do it against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday,” he said.
Arteta’s reference to the Champions League felt like a subtle acknowledgment that Arsenal’s title challenge might now be out of reach, adding, “We are very disappointed not to win this game, but it’s about what we can do now.”
Liverpool Enjoy a Well-Deserved Break Before Busy Final Stretch
Liverpool’s victory means they can now enjoy a rare two-day break, which comes as a welcome respite after a hectic schedule that saw them play five matches in just 15 days.
This time off will allow the players to rest and recharge ahead of a crucial stretch in both the Premier League and their Champions League campaign.
Alongside the league, they also have a Carabao Cup final against the same Newcastle team they just defeated, making their next few weeks a whirlwind of high-stakes matches.
Slot Reflects on Watching From the Stands and His Suspension
Slot, who was serving the first of a two-match ban for his behavior after the Merseyside Derby, watched Liverpool’s win from the stands.
He reflected on the experience, saying, “Watching it in real-time from the stands is less emotional because you don’t feel the players’ emotions, so you get a better overview.
But the downside is, you can see the replays… and as you know, the reason I was suspended is that I can get emotional, so I could see the replays, especially after five minutes when Liverpool had a penalty turned down.”
Despite the challenge of being sidelined, Slot was pleased with his team’s performance, calling it a “great team performance” overall.