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 defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the summit after City’s 1-0 triumph at Burnley on Wednesday, leaving both clubs level on points with five matches left in the season.
With the championship still very much up for grabs, the final stretch will determine who lifts the trophy. Arteta described the remaining five‑game run‑in as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle United at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He emphasized that Arsenal are ready to rebound from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City, and that confidence, trust and a clear tactical plan are essential for success on the pitch. "It's important to feel the confidence, the trust and clarity on what we want to deliver on the pitch," he told Sky Sports.
"But now is a moment for all of us to take ownership. We can talk all day, but we need to go on that pitch and we need to get the job done." The manager praised the influence of senior figures as well as the personality of younger players who may lack experience but possess the hunger to perform when it matters most. He noted that the reaction in the dressing room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly the kind of response he wanted to see.
"Immediately, the reaction in the dressing room I really liked because I could sense that they were even more convinced than before the game that we're going to do it," Arteta explained. He added that the team used the following sunny week to recharge, refresh and discuss the type of football they aspire to play.
The analytical debrief was brief; the focus shifted to rebuilding confidence, sharpening the collective vision and preparing for the crucial five games ahead, starting with Newcastle. "It was a long week, the sun was shining. We used it to recharge, refresh... We talked about the team that we want to be.
The analytical part was very short and at the start of the week. Afterwards, it was focus on us and the things we want to see and build again; that connection and clarity and the five games left. Newcastle is game one - go for it," Arteta said. He reminded everyone that Arsenal are privileged to be in this position and that the club must now seize the opportunity.
While the Gunners were praised for a more attacking approach against City – a style that seemed to catch the league leaders off‑guard – Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the final standings. The manager admitted that selecting the optimal line‑up for the remaining fixtures will be his toughest challenge, especially with key players such as Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori edging back from injury. "That's one of the biggest headaches for any manager – to nail the line‑up of how we start and how we're going to finish the game.
The game that we expect at the beginning and then how we can change it if the context is different. We have a very different profile of players which is good," he said. "Hopefully this weekend we're going to have another two or three players back which is a massive boost for us and we're looking forward to it." Gabriel Martinelli, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Newcastle game, relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad defeat. The manager urged the players to believe fully in themselves, emphasizing that their progress this season is the result of their own effort, not external factors.
"He said to have full belief in ourselves. He said we didn't get to this point and playing good football because of other people, it's because of us. It's because of us and what we've been doing all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and put our names in the history of the club," Martinelli recounted.
He added that the final five games will be even more crucial, and that the collective belief within the club must be translated into performance on the field. Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, stating that Arsenal are prepared to give everything in the closing weeks to finally end the 22‑year wait for a league crown after what he described as an undeserved loss to City.
"We are in the big part of the season now. Of course the last few weeks were not so great for us but we learn from that and now we're looking forward to playing on Saturday and changing everything," Saliba told Men In Blazers. He stressed the importance of staying calm, playing with intensity and unity, and that every member of the club – fans, staff and players – must contribute.
"We know what we have to do if we want to win that league. We have to start on Saturday. We have good pressure with us because when you play football, you want to play these kinds of games.
When you lose a game, you're not happy. We know that we didn't deserve to lose the last game. But it's life.
It's like this when you don't kill your opponent. We learned a lot from that game and we know that everything is possible.
We know we have to win every game now if we want to take this Premier League. We need to be calm. We need to die on the pitch as well because it's now. We have to go.
We need everyone, the fans, the team, the staff, everyone. We have to give everything and die on the pitch," Saliba concluded. In summary, Arteta’s post‑City briefing combined a candid assessment of the recent setbacks with a clear, forward‑looking plan.
By encouraging personal accountability, reinforcing confidence, and outlining a pragmatic approach to squad rotation and tactical flexibility, the Arsenal manager aims to maximise the squad’s potential during the decisive final stretch. With the title race still level and the next five fixtures carrying enormous weight, Arsenal’s ability to translate belief into results will ultimately decide whether they can claim the Premier League crown after more than two decades.