Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to embrace responsibility and "get the job done" as they head into the decisive phase of the Premier League campaign, following a brief period of reflection after the defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches left to play.
The championship is still very much up for grabs, and Arteta insists his side are ready to bounce back from the back‑to‑back setbacks against Bournemouth and City. Describing the final stretch as a "new league", the manager highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this refreshed mindset. "It’s essential that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch," he told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for every player to take ownership.
We can talk all day, but we have to step onto the field and deliver." He praised the influence of senior figures while also noting the growing importance of younger players who may lack experience but possess the personality needed for high‑pressure moments. "We have a lot of players who step up and are very influential, and the youngsters bring energy and determination that are vital right now," Arteta added. According to the coach, the reaction in the dressing room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly what he hoped to see.
"Immediately after the game I could sense the squad were even more convinced that we can still win the title," he said. The team used the subsequent week to recharge, enjoy the sunshine, and discuss the style of football they aspire to play. "The analytical session was brief; the rest of the week was about focusing on who we want to be, rebuilding the connection, and keeping clarity for the five games ahead. Newcastle is game one – we go for it," Arteta explained.
He also acknowledged the privilege of being in such a strong position and stressed the need to seize the opportunity. "We value where we are, now we have to grab it," he affirmed. Even though Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised their more attacking approach, which seemed to catch the league leaders off guard. Arteta admitted that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection would be his toughest challenge in the final weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori nearing fitness.
"One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – how we start and how we finish the game," he said. "We have a varied profile of players, which is a strength.
Hopefully this weekend we’ll have another two or three players back, which would be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad defeat: the manager told them they "know how to get there" and that they must finish the 22‑year wait for a Premier League crown. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves. We didn’t get here because of anyone else – it’s because of us and the work we’ve done all season," Martinelli said. "We know how to reach the summit, we want to win the title and make history for the club.
In these last five games we have to be even more decisive. Everyone believes in themselves at this club; we just need to show it on the pitch and give our all for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the same sentiment, insisting the team will give everything in the closing weeks to end the 22‑year drought after what he called an "undeserved" loss to City.
"We’re in the crucial part of the season now. The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we’ve learned from them and we’re looking forward to Saturday to change everything," Saliba told Men In Blazers. "We know what we have to do to win the league.
The pressure is good – it’s the kind of football we love to play." He added that the defeat was a learning experience: "When you lose a game you’re not happy, but that’s life. We learned a lot and now we know everything is possible if we win every remaining match.
We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight for every point. The fans, the staff, the whole club have to give their all." As the Gunners prepare for the Newcastle encounter, the narrative is clear: a short period of rest and introspection has been used to sharpen focus, reinforce belief, and outline a clear plan for the final push. With the title race hanging in the balance, Arteta’s emphasis on ownership, confidence, and collective responsibility aims to transform the remaining fixtures into a decisive march toward lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.