Arsenal have been outstanding in 2024, and their fine form since the New Year has kept them in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners ended 2023 with back-to-back defeats against West Ham and Fulham which threatened to derail their title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked exhausted and out of ideas, with the squad fatigued, suffering from injuries and out of form.

However, one thing changed their fortunes entirely, and they have since won 14 of their 16 Premier League games since, with just one defeat in that time.

Arsenal are going toe to toe with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who do have the advantage of a game in hand, and will need to drop points at least once to give Arsenal a chance of the title.

Arteta praises mid-season Dubai trip as factor behind Arsenal resurgence

Arsenal had a gap in fixtures after losing an FA Cup tie to Liverpool in January, and used this opportunity to embark on a training camp in Dubai.

It was there that Arsenal were revitalised, and came back full of fresh set-piece routines, and a new wave of energy to start blowing teams away.

Speaking to club media, Arteta has now praised the impact the Dubai trip had in helping his squad.

“The power of the sun in Dubai! That’s what the people are saying. If they believe it, so be it. It was a sensational time for us, it was a great camp, we really enjoyed it, we trained hard and we had moments as well to reconnect with who we are and what is important for us to win football matches. It was a big breath of fresh air and it gave us big power,” he stated.

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How Arsenal have maintained their focus in 2024

Arsenal had one slip up domestically in 2024 as they lost at home to Aston Villa, and fatigue was beginning to show.

The Gunners had chances in the first half, with the biggest falling to Leandro Trossard, but a failure to take them set them up for disappointment as they collapsed in the second half.

Arteta’s side have been perfect since, and Arteta has praised his side for remaining focused.

“Honestly, it sounds boring, but it’s going day by day and making sure that we do every single day every single task in the best possible way, with the same energy, with the same freedom and letting players and staff flow as well,” he added.

“They are fully committed, they really want to win, you see a different competitive edge in a lot of the players, you see that around the club as well and what it takes to win.”

Arsenal will need to maintain their good form to beat Manchester United and Everton, whilst also hoping Man City slip up somewhere if they are to win their first title since 2004.