Mikel Arteta has set a high bar for his Arsenal team, stating that they will likely need to amass at least 90 points to clinch the Premier League title.

Currently sitting five points behind leaders Liverpool in third place with 58 points, Arsenal face a challenging run-in with away fixtures against tough opponents such as the champions, Brighton, Tottenham, and Manchester United.

Last season, Arsenal led Manchester City by five points with 63 points after 26 games but faltered in the final stretch, losing three of their last 12 games and finishing five points behind the champions on 84 points. Arteta is keen to avoid a similar slip-up this season and believes that aiming for 90 points or more is essential for their title aspirations.

Asked how many points his side will need to win a first Premier League title since 2004, Arteta said: “The demands, you might have to win every game.

“There are a lot of games and we are all going to have crazy schedules and this league might be different to last season. Anything under 90 points I think would be very difficult.”

After suffering consecutive London derby defeats to West Ham and Fulham after Christmas, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta noticed a renewed focus among his players. This renewed determination has been evident as Arsenal have started the year with six consecutive Premier League wins.

“Yes and the target is clear,” Arteta said. “It’s to be better every day so that when it comes to the weekend, earn the right to win and do everything you possibly can to win the game.

“This is the focus and the way I see them training every day gives me more confidence and more reasons to believe that we have a good chance because they really want it.”

Against Sheffield United, Mikel Arteta could pair Declan Rice and Thomas Partey together in midfield for the first time since the Community Shield.

“I think they only played in the Community Shield together in midfield,” said the Spaniard. “That tells you how much we have missed Thomas. To play the whole season and a player like him who has not played much with us. The impact he can have for the next 3 months can be really big.

“He can also help Declan as well. I will have to see that chemistry on the pitch and those qualities and the things we have to treat around to make sure they play to their strengths and make each other better.

“But I think that will be a very powerful midfield.”