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 after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches remaining and the championship 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 step in that fresh chapter. He stressed that Arsenal are eager to rebound from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and clarity in what the team aims to achieve on the pitch. "It's vital that we feel the confidence, the trust and the clarity about what we want to deliver on the field," 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 pitch and get the job done." He praised the influence of senior players while also noting the importance of younger members and those with less experience, who have shown a strong personality and willingness to step up in crucial moments. Arteta was pleased with the players' reaction after the loss at the Etihad Stadium, saying they used the subsequent downtime to recharge, reflect, and reaffirm the type of side they aspire to become. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see," he said.
"They seemed even more convinced than before the game that we can still achieve our goal. It was a long week, the sun was out, and we used that time to refresh ourselves. We talked about the football we want to play. The analytical part was brief; the rest of the week was about focus, connection, and clarity as we head into the final five fixtures.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta acknowledged the privilege of being in such a strong position and urged his players to seize the opportunity. Despite the loss, he commended Arsenal for adopting a more attacking approach against Manchester City, a tactic that appeared to catch the newly crowned league leaders off guard.
Looking ahead, Arteta admitted that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the title race, making squad selection one of his toughest challenges in the closing weeks. He noted the anticipated returns of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury as a significant boost.
"Choosing the right line‑up for the start and finish of each game is one of the biggest headaches for any manager," he explained. "We have a diverse group of players, which is a strength. Hopefully this weekend we’ll have two or three more players back, which will be massive for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta’s message, recalling the manager’s words after the Etihad defeat: the squad knows how to reach the summit and end Arsenal’s 22‑year wait for a league title.
Martinelli said Arteta urged the team to have complete belief in themselves and to recognize that their progress is the result of their own effort, not external factors. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves. He said we didn’t get this far because of anyone else – it’s because of us," Martinelli said. "We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names in the club’s history.
In these 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 best for the badge." Defender William Saliba also stressed the team's determination to give everything in the final stretch, describing the recent loss to City as undeserved but a learning experience. He highlighted the pressure and excitement of the remaining fixtures, noting that the squad must remain calm and committed.
"We are in the crucial part of the season now," Saliba told Men In Blazers. "The last few weeks weren’t great, but we learned from them and now we look forward to Saturday and changing everything.
We know what we have to do to win the league. We must start on Saturday and keep the pressure on." He added that losing a game is disappointing, yet it offers lessons that can be applied moving forward. "We learned a lot from that match and now we understand that everything is possible if we win every remaining game," Saliba said.
"We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and rely on the fans, the staff, and each other. It’s all hands on deck to claim the Premier League." In summary, Arteta’s message to his squad is clear: take ownership, maintain belief, and execute with precision in the final five games.
With key players returning from injury and a renewed sense of purpose after a period of reflection, Arsenal are positioning themselves to seize the title and bring an end to a 22‑year wait for league glory.