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 reflection following their defeat at the hands of Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City’s 1‑0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches left in the season. The championship is still very much up for grabs, and Arteta believes the final stretch feels like a fresh competition.
He described the remaining five‑game run‑in as "a new league" that will kick off with a Saturday night showdown against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. According to Arteta, Arsenal are ready to bounce back after consecutive setbacks to Bournemouth and City. "It's vital that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we aim 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 test is out there on the field – we have to get the job done." He praised the influence of senior players while also highlighting the importance of younger members and those with less experience, noting that they too possess the personality needed for this crucial stage. Arteta said he was encouraged by the way his team reacted after the loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The players used the time afterward to recharge and reflect, a process he believes has reinforced their belief in the mission ahead. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see," Arteta explained.
"You could sense that they were even more convinced than before the game that we can still achieve our goal." He added that the week after the defeat was spent under sunny skies, allowing the squad to unwind and reset. "We used that time to recharge, to refresh, and to talk about the kind of team we want to become.
The tactical analysis was brief and took place early in the week. After that, the focus shifted to the things we want to see and build again – that connection, that clarity, and the five games that lie ahead. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta emphasized how privileged the club feels to be in such a position and stressed the need to seize the opportunity. "We value where we are, and now we have to grab it," he said.
Even though Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised the more attacking approach the Gunners displayed, which seemed to catch the league leaders off guard. The manager acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – how we start, how we finish, and how we adapt if the situation changes," Arteta noted. "We have a very diverse group of players, which is a strength.
Hopefully this weekend we’ll have another two or three players back, which would be a massive boost for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad loss, emphasizing that the manager told them they "know how to get there" and can finally end the 22‑year wait for a Premier League crown. Martinelli said, "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
He reminded us that we didn’t reach this point by luck or because of anyone else – it’s because of what we’ve done all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names in the club’s history.
In these last five games, the pressure will be even greater. Everyone in this club believes in themselves, and we just need to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, stating that Arsenal are prepared to give everything in the final weeks to finally break the 22‑year drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to City. "We’re 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, where we can change everything.
We know exactly what we must do to win the league – we have to start strong on Saturday. The pressure is on because these are the kind of games you want to play." He continued, "Losing a game is never pleasant, and we felt we didn’t deserve that defeat.
But that’s life – you don’t always get the result you want. 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 with everything we have.
It’s a collective effort – fans, players, staff – everyone must give their all and leave everything on the field." As the season draws to a close, Arsenal’s focus is clear: maintain belief, execute the game plan, and capitalize on every opportunity. With a refreshed mindset, key players returning, and a renewed sense of purpose, Arteta’s side aim to turn the final five fixtures into a decisive sprint toward the coveted Premier League trophy.