Everton legend Yakubu tells his former teammate Arteta what to do to beat Liverpool to PL title

Everton legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni has shared valuable insights with his former teammate, Mikel Arteta, on how Arsenal can overcome Liverpool and secure their first Premier League title in over two decades.

Speaking after Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Tottenham, which kept their title hopes alive, Yakubu, who played alongside Arteta at Everton under David Moyes, outlined the key areas where Arsenal could improve to challenge Liverpool for the league title.

With Arsenal currently four points behind Liverpool, who sit atop the table and having played a game less, the Nigerian football icon believes the Gunners can still capitalize on Liverpool's recent dip in form.

"This season is proving to be quite challenging," Yakubu told a football news website. 

"When you look at how Liverpool are performing, they're dropping points little by little. It's an opportunity for Arsenal to capitalise on that."

"We've seen in the past few seasons - last year, two years ago, and three years ago - Arsenal putting pressure on Manchester City. Right now, City aren’t in the best form; they're struggling."

Yakubu stressed that while Arsenal have been solid defensively with the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel in central defense, their biggest challenge lies in finishing chances. He suggested that a clinical striker is crucial to the Gunners’ chances of competing with Liverpool for the title.

"For Arsenal (to win the league), it’s just a matter of getting a striker. Once they do, I believe they can push Liverpool all the way to the end," he suggested.

"You can see the way they control possession. With (William) Saliba and Gabriel at the back, they’re really solid defensively.

"The only thing they're missing is a player who can consistently score goals. I believe that if they get a solid number nine who can finish those chances, they have the potential to win the league.

"Right now, though, it feels a bit out of reach with Liverpool performing well. But if they solve the goalscoring problem I think it could be enough to make a real challenge."

He also acknowledged the role of injuries in any title challenge.

"Also, injuries are part of the game, and while some of your key players may get sidelined at times, it's crucial to have others ready to step up and deliver," he added.

Despite the challenge posed by a well-performing Liverpool, Yakubu remains optimistic about Arsenal’s chances, citing the potential for a strong second half to the season if they can bolster their attack.

Yakubu praised Arteta’s leadership and intelligence, reflecting on their time together at Everton.

"Arteta was unbelievable. I had the privilege of playing alongside him. He was a fantastic player, definitely one of the best I've ever played with.

"His ability to read the game was remarkable. It doesn't surprise me that he became a manager - he’s incredibly smart when it comes to football. Plus, he's a genuinely great person," Yakubu said.

Arteta’s managerial journey at Arsenal has been met with both praise and pressure, but Yakubu believes the Spaniard is on the right track.

"He's been there for five years now. If you look at Liverpool, when (Rafael) Benitez was in charge, (Jurgen) Klopp came in after him. It took the Reds years to win the league after a 30-year wait," Yakubu noted.

"I believe Arteta can get it done. Just because Arsenal are not at the top right now doesn’t mean he's not doing well. There's no need to sack him.

"They should give him another season, another chance. If they get a striker, I truly believe they have the potential to win the league."

Adeyemi Adewale

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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