MIK'S NEW YEAR'S SLAY

Boss Arteta vows to end Arsenal's Jan 1 title curse

- BY TOM CANTON

MIKEL ARTETA insisted it is time for Arsenal to break their New Year's Day hoodoo by landing the club's first Premier League title in more than two decades.

The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Manchester City following an emphatic 4-1 win against Aston Villa, while Pep Guardiola's side were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland.

However, on the previous five occasions across the last 23 years, where Arsenal have ended the calendar year on top of the table, they have failed to win the title - the most recent occasion being three seasons ago when Arteta's players finished the campaign five points behind City.

The north Londoners, who last won the league in 2004, have also finished runners-up for the past three campaigns.

Arsenal go to Bournemouth this evening and manager Arteta insisted he was not aware of the grizzly statistic, but added: "Let's break it.

"That's what the players transmit every single day when they're with us, training, and in every match. You can see their desire. You can see the energy that they put in, and how much they want it.

"There are still five months to go. Let's take it day-by-day, enjoy that process of being where we are, and go for it."

Arteta believes Arsenal's injury situation has improved over the last three seasons after confirming two players will miss the trip to Bournemouth.