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 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 fixtures remaining. The championship is still very much up for grabs, and Arteta insists his side are ready to bounce back from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City.
The manager described the final five‑match stretch as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh chapter. "It’s crucial that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for each of us to own our role.
We can talk all day, but the real work happens on the field – we have to get the job done." He praised the influence of senior players while also acknowledging the importance of younger members who, despite lacking experience, bring personality and determination to crucial moments. After the loss at the Etihad, Arteta noted that his players used the time afterwards to recharge and reflect, a process he believes has strengthened their resolve. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see," he said. "They left the match even more convinced that we can still win the title." Arteta explained that the week following the defeat was deliberately structured to balance analysis with rejuvenation.
"We had a short analytical session at the start of the week, then we focused on the kind of team we want to become. The sun was out, we used it to refresh ourselves, and we talked about the identity we aim to build. With five games left, clarity and connection are vital – Newcastle is game one, and we go for it." He also stressed the privilege of being in the current position and the responsibility that comes with it. "We value where we are, and now we need to seize the opportunity," Arteta added.
Despite the loss, Arsenal received compliments for adopting a more attacking approach against Manchester City, a tactic that seemed to catch the league leaders off‑balance. The manager acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection would be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with key players Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori on the road to recovery. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – how we start and how we finish the game," Arteta said. "We have a diverse group of players, which is a strength.
If we can get two or three more fit this weekend, it will be a massive boost for us." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad defeat, emphasizing belief and self‑reliance. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves. We didn’t reach this point because of anyone else – it’s because of us, because of what we’ve done all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names into the club’s history.
In the next five games, we have to be even more decisive. Everyone in this club believes in themselves, and we just need to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge," Martinelli explained. Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, saying the team is prepared to give everything in the final weeks to end a 22‑year title drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to City.
"We’re in the crucial part of the season now. 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 strong on Saturday.
The pressure is on because these are the games you want to play." Saliba admitted the disappointment of the recent defeat but framed it as a learning experience. "When you lose, it hurts, but it’s part of life. We learned a lot from that game and now we understand that anything is possible if we win every remaining match.
We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight with everything we have – the fans, the staff, the whole club must be all‑in." In summary, Arteta’s message to his players is clear: take ownership, maintain belief, and execute with precision in the decisive final stretch. With the title race balanced on a knife‑edge, Arsenal’s ability to regroup, integrate returning players, and stick to their attacking philosophy will determine whether they can clinch the Premier League trophy and end a 22‑year wait.