Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to take personal responsibility for the Premier League title chase and to "get the job done" after a brief period of rest and reflection following the defeat at 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 left 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 showdown with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He insisted that Arsenal are ready to bounce back after consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and Manchester City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and a clear sense of purpose on the pitch.
"It's vital that we feel confident, that we trust each other and that we have clarity about what we want to achieve on the field," he told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for every player to own their role.
We can talk all day, but we must step onto the pitch and deliver." He praised the influence of senior figures in the dressing room while also noting the importance of younger players and those with less experience, who have shown personality and a willingness to step up in critical moments. According to Arteta, the reaction in the locker room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly what he wanted to see – a renewed conviction that the title is within reach.
"Immediately after the game I could sense that the squad was even more convinced than before that we can still do it," Arteta said. "It was a long week, the sun was out and we used that time to recharge and refresh. We talked about the kind of team we want to become.
The analytical part was brief; the rest of the week was about focus, clarity and the five games ahead. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." He added that the club feels privileged to be in this position and that the players must now seize the opportunity. While Arsenal were defeated, many observers praised the more attacking approach they displayed against City, which seemed to catch the league leaders off‑balance. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks.
He expects the returns of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury to provide a significant boost. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right from the start and being able to adapt if the game changes," he explained. "We have a varied group of players, which is a strength. Hopefully this weekend we’ll have two or three more players back – that would be massive for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad loss, emphasizing belief in themselves and the collective effort that has brought them this far.
"He told us to have full belief in ourselves. He said we didn’t reach this point by chance or because of others – it’s because of us, because of what we’ve done all season," Martinelli said. "We know how to get there, we want to win the title and make history for the club. In these final five games we have to show that belief on the pitch and give everything for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, stating that Arsenal are prepared to give their all in the last weeks to end the 22‑year wait for a league crown after what he described as an undeserved loss to City.
"We are now in the crucial part of the season," Saliba told Men In Blazers. "The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we’ve learned from them and we’re looking forward to Saturday to turn things around.
We know what we must do to win the league – we have to start with a win on Saturday." He highlighted the pressure that comes with high‑stakes games and the need for composure. "When you lose, it hurts, but we accept that it happens. We learned a lot from that game and now we know anything is possible if we win every remaining match," Saliba added. "We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and rely on the support of the fans, the staff and the whole club.
It’s time to lay everything on the line and fight for every point." With the title race tightening, Arsenal’s management and players are focusing on unity, mental resilience and tactical flexibility. The upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, followed by matches with other top‑six rivals, will test their ability to maintain consistency under pressure.
If they can harness the confidence Arteta speaks of, keep key players fit, and execute the game plans they have rehearsed, the Gunners could very well clinch the Premier League trophy and end a 22‑year drought.