Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to "take ownership" of the Premier League chase and to simply "get the job done" after a brief period of reflection following the defeat at Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs level on points and five matches left, the championship is still very much up for grabs. Arteta described the final stretch of the season as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle United at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh chapter.
He stressed that Arsenal are eager to bounce back after back‑to‑back setbacks against Bournemouth and Manchester City. "Confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch are essential," he 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 who, despite limited experience, bring personality and determination to crucial moments. According to Arteta, the reaction in the dressing room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly what he wanted to see – a renewed belief that the title is still within reach. "Immediately after the game, the vibe in the locker room was positive.
I could sense that the players were even more convinced than before that we can still achieve our goal," Arteta explained. He added that the team used the sunny weekend to recharge, discuss the kind of football they aspire to play, and refocus on the five games remaining. "The analytical part was brief; the rest of the week was about us, about the vision we want to rebuild, and about the clarity we need heading into Newcastle – game one, go for it," he said.
The manager also reflected on the privilege of being in such a strong position and urged his side to seize 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. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that selecting the right lineup will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks.
He hinted at the possible returns of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury, which would provide a significant boost. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is nailing the starting eleven and deciding how we finish the game," he said. "We have a varied group of players, which is a strength. Hopefully this weekend we’ll have two or three more players back – that’s a massive lift for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta’s message, recalling the coach’s words after the Etihad defeat: "He told us we know how to get there.
He said we must have full belief in ourselves. We didn’t get this far because of anyone else – it’s because of us, because of what we’ve done all season." Martinelli added, "We know how to win the title and we want to etch our names in the club’s history.
In these last five games we have to show that belief on the pitch and give everything for the badge." Defender William Saliba also voiced confidence, describing the final weeks as a chance to finish the 22‑year title drought. Speaking to Men In Blazers, he said, "We’re in the crucial part of the season now. The last few weeks weren’t great, but we’ve learned from them and we’re looking forward to Saturday to change everything." Saliba emphasized the pressure and the need for composure: "When you lose a game you’re not happy, but it’s part of life.
We learned a lot from that loss and now we know everything is possible if we win every remaining match. We must stay calm, give everything, and fight for every ball. The fans, the staff, the whole club have to be behind us." In summary, Arteta’s message to his players is clear: take responsibility, trust in the collective belief that has been built over the season, and execute with precision in the decisive run‑in. With the league leaders level on points, a few key injuries potentially resolved, and a renewed tactical focus, Arsenal aim to turn the final five fixtures into a title‑winning sprint.
The upcoming Newcastle game will serve as the first indicator of whether the Gunners can convert their confidence into the results needed to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.