Mikel Arteta has reacted to Arsenal fixture changes after being scheduled to play after Manchester City once again.
The Gunners head to Anfield to play Liverpool on Sunday, looking for their first win at the ground in 11 years, after champions City take on bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
It is the fifth match in a row City will play before their main title rivals, with next week's fixture changes making it six in total before Arsenal get first billing. The Premier League this week confirmed the gameweek 36 television picks and again City were scheduled before Arsenal.
Playing first can be viewed as a positive, as a win effectively puts pressure on the other team to produce, but Arteta is less convinced.
Arteta said: "It doesn't matter, honestly. We have to focus on what we can do – there is still a lot games to play for and it is going to be a long race."
Arsenal are currently on a six-game winning run to quickly banish memories of back-to-back defeats in February.
Arteta continued: "We do enjoy it. We have to enjoy it and we really need to embrace the moment and go for it. The team is full of enthusiasm and positivity.
"We know that we have a big challenge but it is a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done in many years and that is what is driving the team the last few days."
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