Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to assume full responsibility for the Premier League title chase and to "get the job done" after a brief period of rest and reflection following the defeat at Manchester City. The Gunners lost the top spot when City edged them out with a 1‑0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches left in the campaign. Consequently, the ultimate destination of the league trophy remains very much in the hands of Arsenal and Manchester City alike. Arteta described the final five‑game stretch as "a new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night showdown against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as the first test of this fresh phase.
He insisted that Arsenal are prepared to rebound from the back‑to‑back setbacks they suffered against Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the importance of confidence, trust and clarity in what the team intends to achieve on the pitch. "It's crucial that we feel confident, that we trust each other and that we have a clear idea of what we want to deliver when we step onto the field," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for every player to take ownership. We can talk all day, but the real work happens on the pitch, and we must get the job done." He praised the influence of senior players who lead by example, while also noting that younger members of the squad, even those lacking extensive experience, have shown personality and a willingness to step up in crucial moments.
Arteta was particularly encouraged by the way his players responded to the loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. According to him, the dressing‑room atmosphere after the match was exactly the kind of reaction he wanted to see. "Immediately after the game, the reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I liked. I could sense that the players were even more convinced than before the match that we can still achieve our goal," Arteta explained.
He added that the team used the following week—characterised by sunny weather—to recharge physically and mentally, discussing the type of side they aspire to become. "It was a long week, the sun was shining, and we used that time to refresh ourselves. We talked about the football we want to play. The analytical part was brief and took place at the start of the week.
After that, the focus shifted to what we need to build together, the clarity we need, and the five games that lie ahead. Newcastle is game one – we go for it," he said.
Arteta also reflected on the privilege of being in such a strong position at this stage of the season. "We value where we are, and now we must seize the opportunity," he added. Despite the loss, Arsenal earned plaudits for adopting a more attacking approach against Manchester City, a tactic that seemed to catch the league leaders off guard.
This shift in style has given Arteta and his staff confidence that the team can compete with, and potentially outplay, the best sides in England. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the title race. He admitted that selecting the ideal line‑up for the remaining fixtures will be one of his toughest challenges, especially with key players such as Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury soon. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager at this stage is getting the line‑up right – how we start the game and how we finish it.
We need to adapt if the context changes. We have a very diverse group of players, which is a strength," Arteta said. "If we can get two or three more players back this weekend, it will be a massive boost, and we are looking forward to that." Forward Gabriel Martinelli shared Arteta's message with the squad after the Etihad defeat, emphasizing the belief that the team knows how to reach the summit and finally break the 22‑year wait for a league title.
"He told us to have full belief in ourselves. He said we didn't get to this point and play good football because of anyone else – it’s because of us," Martinelli recounted. "It’s because of what we have done all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names into the club’s history.
In these last five games, we have to be even more determined. Everyone believes in themselves at this club, so we just need to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the same sentiment, insisting that Arsenal are ready to give everything in the final weeks to end the 22‑year drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to City. "We are now in the crucial part of the season," Saliba told Men In Blazers.
"The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we learn from them and now we look forward to Saturday, hoping to turn everything around." He added, "We know what we have to do to win the league. We have to start strong on Saturday. The pressure is on because when you play football at this level, you want to win these big games.
When you lose, it hurts, but we accept that. We learned a lot from that defeat and now we understand that everything is possible if we win each remaining match." Saliba stressed the need for composure and collective effort: "We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight until the final whistle. It’s about the fans, the team, the staff – everyone must give their all." In summary, Arteta and his Arsenal side are entering the final stretch of the Premier League with a clear message: take ownership, trust in each other's abilities, and execute the plan on the field. With a renewed sense of confidence, a refreshed tactical approach, and several key players returning from injury, the Gunners aim to capitalize on their position and potentially clinch the title after more than two decades without a league crown.
The upcoming fixtures, starting with Newcastle, will serve as the ultimate test of their resolve and ambition.