Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to assume responsibility for the Premier League title charge and to "get the job done" after a brief pause to recover and reflect following the defeat at Manchester City. Arsenal slipped from the summit when City secured a 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches remaining. The championship is therefore still undecided, with the final stretch poised to determine the winner.
Artetta framed the remaining five‑game run‑in as "a new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday evening encounter with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this refreshed mindset. He emphasized that Arsenal are prepared to bounce back after consecutive losses to Bournemouth and then to City.
"It matters that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch," he told Sky Sports. He added, "Now is the time for every one of us to take ownership.
We can talk all day, but we must go out onto the field and get the job done. We have a number of senior players who lead by example, but the younger members and those lacking experience also possess the personality to step up in this crucial moment." Arteta praised the reaction of his players after the Etihad defeat, noting that the squad used the downtime to recharge and to internalise the standards they aim to uphold. "The immediate response in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see. I could feel that they were even more convinced than before the game that we can achieve this," he explained.
He described the week that followed as a period of rejuvenation: "The sun was shining, we used it to refresh ourselves. We discussed the type of team we want to become.
The analytical session was brief and at the start of the week; after that, the focus was on our identity, the clarity we need, and the five games ahead. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Artetta also reflected on the privilege of being in a position where the title is within reach.
"We value this spot, and now we must seize it," he said. Even though Arsenal were beaten, Artetta received compliments for the more adventurous style they displayed against the newly crowned league leaders, a strategy that seemed to surprise the opposition. He acknowledged that goal difference could become a deciding factor and warned that squad selection will be his toughest task in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori edging closer to fitness. "Choosing the right line‑up for the start and the finish of each match is one of the biggest headaches for any manager," Arteta admitted.
"We need to anticipate how the game will develop and be ready to adapt if the circumstances change. Our squad has a varied profile, which is a strength.
If we can get a couple more players back this weekend, it will be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Artetta's message in a pre‑match interview with Sky Sports. He said the manager reminded the team that they "know how to get there" and that ending the 22‑year wait for a league crown is within their grasp. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
He said we didn't reach this point because of anyone else – it’s all because of us, because of what we have done all season," Martinelli said. He continued, "We know the route to the title, we want to win it and make our names part of the club’s history. In the next five games, we have to be even more decisive. Everyone in this club believes in themselves, and we just need to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba also stressed the collective resolve needed in the final weeks.
Speaking to Men In Blazers, he described the recent loss to City as undeserved but a learning opportunity. "We are in the crucial part of the season now.
The last few weeks haven't been ideal, but we have learned from them and are looking forward to Saturday to change everything," Saliba said. He added, "We know exactly what we must do to win the league – we have to start with a win on Saturday. The pressure is on, and that's the excitement of these games.
When you lose, it's painful, but we understand that we didn't deserve that defeat. It’s part of life. We have learned a lot and now believe anything is possible if we win every remaining match." Saliba concluded with a call for calmness and total commitment: "We need to be calm, we need to give everything on the pitch, and we need the support of the fans, the staff, everyone associated with the club.
We have to lay it all on the line and fight for every minute." With the league table still neck‑and‑neck and the final fixtures offering both opportunities and challenges, Arsenal's leadership group is intent on turning the momentum from their brief recharge period into a decisive push for the Premier League trophy. The next five games will test the squad's depth, tactical flexibility, and mental resilience as they strive to convert belief into a historic championship.