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 their recent defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the summit of the table after City secured a 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs now level on points and only five matches remaining, the championship is still very much up for grabs. Arteta described the final five‑game stretch as "a new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as the first test of this fresh chapter. He insisted that Arsenal are ready to rebound from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City and to re‑establish the momentum that carried them through most of the campaign.
"It is crucial that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for each of us to take ownership. We can talk all day, but we have to step onto the field and get the job done." He praised the influence of senior players while also noting the importance of younger members of the squad, stating that even those without extensive experience have shown the personality needed to thrive in high‑pressure moments.
The manager was encouraged by the way his side responded after the loss at the Etihad Stadium, emphasizing that the team used the intervening period to recharge, reflect and refocus. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see," Arteta said. "I could sense that the players were even more convinced than before the match that we can still achieve our goal." He described the week after the defeat as a chance to reset: "The sun was shining, we used it to recharge and refresh.
We talked about the kind of team we want to become. The analytical part of the week was short; the rest was about rebuilding our connection, clarity, and preparing for the five games left. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta added that the club feels privileged to be in this position and that the focus now is on capitalising on the opportunity.
Despite the loss, Arsenal received compliments for adopting a more attacking approach against City, a tactic that seemed to catch the league leaders off guard and demonstrated the team's evolving style. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the title race, making squad selection for the final weeks especially challenging. He highlighted the impending returns of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury as a potential boost. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is nailing the starting XI and deciding how we finish the game," he explained.
"We have to anticipate the scenario we expect at kickoff and be ready to adapt if circumstances change. Our squad now has a very diverse profile, which is a strength." He expressed optimism that a couple of additional players would be back for the weekend, describing it as a "massive boost" for the team. Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta's message to the players after the Etihad defeat, emphasizing the belief that the squad knows how to reach the summit and end Arsenal's 22‑year wait for the league crown.
Martinelli said the manager urged the team to have full belief in themselves, reminding them that their progress is the result of their own efforts, not external factors. "We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names into the club's history," Martinelli said.
"In these last five games, the pressure will be even greater, but everyone in this club believes in themselves. We just need to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, stating that Arsenal are prepared to give everything in the final weeks to finally lift the trophy after what he described as an undeserved loss to City.
Saliba told Men In Blazers that the team has learned from recent setbacks and is eager to start the Saturday match with renewed determination. "We know what we have to do to win the league. We must start on Saturday and maintain the pressure," Saliba explained.
"When you lose a game you’re not happy, but we learned a lot from that defeat and now we understand that anything is possible if we win each remaining match." He stressed the need for composure and commitment, urging the squad to "die on the pitch" in a figurative sense – to give their all until the final whistle. Saliba called for support from fans, staff and every member of the club, insisting that collective effort will be essential to secure the Premier League title. In summary, Arteta's message to his players is clear: take ownership, trust in the team's abilities, and execute the plan on the field.
With the title race balanced on a knife‑edge, Arsenal must harness their attacking flair, manage squad rotations wisely, and capitalize on every opportunity in the remaining fixtures to finally break the 22‑year drought and bring the Premier League trophy back to North London.