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. Arsenal slipped from the summit of the table when City edged them out with a 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday. The two clubs are now level on points with five matches remaining, meaning the championship is still very much up for grabs for both sides.
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 start. He stressed that his side is ready to rebound after consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City.
"It's 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 deliver." He added that the squad possesses a blend of experienced leaders and youthful energy, both of which are essential in high‑pressure moments. "We have a lot of players who step up and are very influential, but the younger ones and those without much experience also bring personality and a willingness to rise to the occasion," he said. The manager praised the way his players responded after the loss at the Etihad Stadium, noting that they used the subsequent days to recharge both mentally and physically. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see.
I could sense they were even more convinced than before the game that we can still win this," Arteta explained. He described the week after the defeat as a chance to reset: "It was a long week, the sun was shining.
We used that time to refresh, to talk about the type of team we want to become. The analytical part was brief and at the start of the week; after that we focused on the vision we want to build and the clarity we need for the final five fixtures. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta emphasized how privileged he feels to be in such a position, urging his players to value the opportunity and seize it.
"We are privileged to be where we are. We respect the situation, and now we have to grab it," he said. Even though Arsenal fell short against City, they earned praise for adopting a more attacking approach that appeared to catch the league leaders off guard.
This tactical shift has given Arteta confidence that his side can compete for the title on merit rather than relying on luck. Looking ahead, the manager acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor, making squad selection for the remaining games a particularly challenging task.
With Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury, Arteta faces a dilemma in balancing experience, form, and fitness. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is nailing the line‑up – how we start and how we finish the game. The game we expect at the beginning may need to change if the context shifts. We have a varied profile of players, which is a strength," Arteta said.
"Hopefully this weekend we'll have another two or three players back, which will be a massive boost for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta's post‑defeat message to his teammates, emphasizing belief and self‑reliance. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves. He said we didn't reach this point by relying on others; it was because of us," Martinelli said.
"It's because of us and what we've done all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names into the club's history." Martinelli continued, "In the next five games the pressure will be even greater. Everyone in this club believes in themselves, so we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for this badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, stating that Arsenal are prepared to give everything in the final weeks to end a 22‑year title drought after what he called an undeserved loss to City.
"We are in the crucial part of the season now," he told Men In Blazers. "The last few weeks haven't been great, but we learn from them and now we look forward to Saturday, to change everything." Saliba highlighted the importance of consistency: "We know what we have to do to win the league.
We must start on Saturday. The pressure is good because when you play football you want these big games.
When you lose, it's disappointing, but we didn't deserve that loss. It's part of life." He added, "We learned a lot from that match and now we understand that everything is possible if we win every remaining game.
We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight for every point. The fans, the staff, the whole club must give their all." In summary, Arteta's message to his squad is clear: take ownership, maintain belief, and execute with precision during the final stretch.
With a blend of seasoned leaders, emerging talents, and a renewed tactical approach, Arsenal aim to turn the momentum in their favor and clinch the Premier League title before the season concludes.