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 the loss to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table when City edged them out with a 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs level on points and only five matches left, the championship remains very much up for grabs.
Arteta described the final five‑game stretch as a "new league" and pointed to the upcoming Saturday night encounter with Newcastle United at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He said Arsenal are ready to rebound after consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and clarity in what the team wants 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 every player to take ownership. We can talk all day, but the real work happens when we step onto the grass and we have to get the job done." He praised the influence of senior figures while also highlighting the growing importance of younger members of the squad, noting that even those without extensive experience are showing the personality needed for such a crucial stage. The manager was also encouraged by the way his players responded after the defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
According to Arteta, the dressing‑room reaction was exactly the kind of positive sign he wanted to see, with the squad emerging even more convinced that they can still clinch the title. "Immediately, the reaction in the dressing room was what I liked most because I could sense they were more convinced than before the game that we will do it," he said. He added that the team used the sunny, long week after the loss to recharge, refresh and discuss the type of side they aspire to become. The analytical part of the week was brief; the focus then shifted to building the connection, clarity and determination needed for the remaining five fixtures.
"Newcastle is game one – go for it," Arteta asserted, reminding everyone that the privilege of being in contention must be seized. Although Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised the Gunners for adopting a more attacking approach that appeared to catch the league leaders off guard. This tactical shift has given Arteta confidence heading into the final stretch, but he also acknowledges that goal difference could become a decisive factor, making squad selection a particularly tough job in the weeks ahead. He spoke about the challenges of balancing line‑ups, especially with key players such as Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori on the road to recovery.
"One of the biggest headaches for any manager is nailing the starting eleven and deciding how we will finish the game," Arteta explained. "We have a very diverse profile of players, which is a strength. Hopefully this weekend we’ll have another two or three players back – that would be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message in a pre‑match interview, recalling the manager’s words after the Etihad defeat: the team knows how to get to the top and end the 22‑year wait for a league crown.
Martinelli stressed that belief must come from within the squad, not from external sources. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
We didn’t reach this point 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 into 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 the collective determination, describing the recent loss to City as undeserved but using it as a learning experience. Speaking to Men In Blazers, Saliba highlighted the importance of staying calm and giving everything in the remaining matches.
"We are in the crucial part of the season now," he said. "The last few weeks weren’t great, but we learned from them and now we look forward to Saturday to change everything. We know what we have to do to win the league – we must start on Saturday and keep the pressure on." Saliba added that the team must remain composed and fight for every ball, emphasizing that the entire club – players, staff and supporters – must contribute. "When you lose a game, you’re not happy.
We didn’t deserve that loss, but that’s life. We learned a lot and now we know everything is possible if we win every remaining match," he continued. "We need to stay calm, give everything, and die for the badge on the pitch." As the Gunners prepare for the final run‑in, the atmosphere at the Emirates is charged with optimism and a clear sense of purpose. The combination of refreshed confidence, tactical adjustments and the return of injured talent could prove decisive as Arsenal aim to seize the title in what has become a thrilling, tightly contested season.