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 setback against Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City’s 1-0 triumph 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 the final stretch will determine who lifts the trophy. Arteta described the remaining five‑game run‑in as "a new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night showdown with Newcastle United at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He believes Arsenal can rebound strongly after back‑to‑back defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City. "It’s vital that we feel confidence, trust and crystal‑clear purpose 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 the real work happens on the field, and we must deliver." He praised the senior members of the squad for their leadership while also noting that younger players and those with less experience have shown plenty of character and are ready to step up in this crucial period. Arteta was pleased with how his players responded after the loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, saying they used the time afterward to recharge both physically and mentally.
"The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see," he said. "You could sense that the defeat actually reinforced their belief that we can still win the title." He added that the team took advantage of a sunny, relaxed day to unwind and discuss the kind of side they aspire to become. "The tactical analysis was brief at the start of the week. After that, we focused on the identity we want to rebuild, the clarity of purpose and the five games ahead.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta emphasized how privileged he feels to be in such a position and urged his players to seize the opportunity. "We value where we are, now we have to grab it," he said. Even though Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised the Gunners for adopting a more attacking approach that appeared to catch the league leaders off guard.
Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and admitted that selecting the optimal line‑up will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury soon. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the starting eleven right and deciding how we finish the game," he explained. "We have to start with a plan and then adapt if the situation changes. Our squad offers a variety of profiles, which is a real advantage." He expressed optimism about the imminent return of two or three more players, describing it as a "massive boost" for the team.
Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad loss, noting that the manager reminded them they "know how to get there" and urged them to end the 22‑year wait for a league crown. Martinelli said: "He told us to have total belief in ourselves. He reminded us that we didn’t reach this point by luck or by anyone else’s work – it’s all because of us.
We’ve been consistent all season, we know how to win, and we want to etch our names in the club’s history. In the next five games the pressure will be even greater, but we all believe in ourselves and will give everything for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, insisting the squad is ready to give their all in the final weeks to finally break the 22‑year drought after what he called an "undeserved" defeat to City. "We are now in the decisive part of the season," Saliba told Men In Blazers.
"The last few weeks haven’t been ideal, but we’ve learned from them and we’re eager to play on Saturday and turn things around." He added: "We understand exactly what we need to do to win the league – we must start with a win on Saturday. The pressure is good; it means we’re playing the games that matter. When you lose, it hurts, but we accept that life isn’t always fair. We’ve taken lessons from that loss and now we know anything is possible if we win every remaining match." Saliba stressed the importance of staying calm and giving everything on the field: "We have to fight for every ball, we have to die for the badge, and we need the support of the fans, the staff and every member of the club.
It’s an all‑or‑nothing moment." As the Gunners prepare for the Newcastle clash, Arteta’s core message remains clear: confidence, collective responsibility and relentless execution will be the pillars that could finally deliver Arsenal’s long‑awaited Premier League triumph. The next five fixtures will test the squad’s depth, tactical flexibility and mental resilience, and if they can harness the belief articulated by their manager and senior players, they stand a real chance of ending a 22‑year wait for the title.