MIKEL Arteta has warned his players that only perfection is going to see Arsenal pip rivals Manchester City and Liverpool to the Premier League title.

The Gunners gobbled up the goals yet again on Monday night when they smashed six past Sheffield United to secure their seventh league win on the spin.

The 6-0 drubbing – which saw a noticeable number of home fans heading for the exits with barely 15 minutes on the clock – means that Arsenal have now scored a staggering 31 league goals in 2024, while only conceding three.

Arteta, however, isn’t getting carried away, urging his free-scoring side to continue “pushing each other” until their high demands are met.

“Obviously, the fact we scored so many goals and are not conceding is a great sign, but it’s about winning every game now,” said the Gunners boss. “That’s the demands those two clubs [City and Liverpool] have put in over the last six or seven years, and that’s the task ahead of us.

“This is the Premier League, you know the level of the opponent, and you cannot be satisfied. When it comes internally from them [the players], that level of demand is what I see every day in training – they’re pushing each other and trying to make each other better, and that chemistry is really important to have the chance to achieve what we want.”

A Brentford side led by rumoured summer target Ivan Toney stands between Arsenal and an eighth straight league win – a win that would see the Gunners go top of the table, at least until Sunday when Liverpool and City square off at Anfield.

Gooners were briefly concerned about the team news ahead of the Bees’ visit to the Emirates after Bukayo Saka failed to materialise for the second half against Sheffield United, while Gabriel Martinelli limped out of the action shortly after the hour mark.

Arteta, though, was quick to allay fears that his star assets were heading for lengthy spells on the sidelines, saying: “He [Saka] was feeling a bit sick, and as well we have Fabio [Vieira] who we have to give minutes. Then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli as well, he had a slight cut on his foot and we have to wait and see how he is.”

One player who will definitely be missing this weekend is David Raya, with the on-loan goalkeeper ineligible to play against his parent club – handing Aaron Ramsdale an all-too-rare start.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly preparing to offer Jorginho a new one-year deal following a string of standout performances of late. The 32-year-old Italy midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.