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 defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs level on points and only five matches left, the championship is still very much up for grabs. Arteta described the remaining 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 losses to Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and a clear vision of what the team wants to achieve on the pitch.
"It's important to feel the confidence, the trust and clarity on what we want to deliver on the pitch," Arteta 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." He praised the influence of senior players while also noting that younger members of the squad, even those lacking extensive experience, have shown the personality required to perform in high‑pressure moments. The manager expressed satisfaction with how his players responded after the loss at the Etihad Stadium, saying they used the time afterwards to recharge, reflect and reaffirm their collective goals. "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 week following the defeat was spent in the sunshine, allowing the squad to refresh themselves and discuss the type of team they aspire to become.
The analytical portion of their preparation was brief, with the focus quickly shifting to the five remaining fixtures and the clarity needed to navigate them. "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," he said. "I think we are privileged to be in the position we are. We value the position, now we need to grab it." Despite the loss, Arsenal earned praise for adopting a more attacking approach against Manchester City, a strategy that appeared to catch the league leaders off guard. Arteta now faces the tactical dilemma of managing goal difference, which could prove decisive in the title race.
He acknowledged that selecting the right line‑up for the final weeks will be his toughest challenge, especially with key players Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori edging closer to return 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," he admitted. "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 expressed optimism that two or three more players would be available for the upcoming weekend, describing their return as a "massive boost" for the team.
Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message in a pre‑match interview, recalling the manager’s words after the Etihad defeat: the players need to believe fully in themselves and understand that their progress in the title race is a result of their own efforts, 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," Martinelli said. "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." He added that the final five games would be even more critical and that the entire squad must demonstrate self‑belief on the field, giving their utmost for the club's badge.
Defender William Saliba also voiced confidence that Arsenal will leave everything on the pitch in the closing stages, aiming to end a 22‑year wait for the league crown after what he described as an undeserved loss to City. "We are in the big part of the season now," Saliba told Men In Blazers.
"Of course the last few weeks were not so great for us but we learn from that and now we're looking forward to play on Saturday and changing everything." He stressed the importance of winning each remaining match and maintaining composure, acknowledging that the team must stay calm and give their all, supported by fans, staff and the wider club community. "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."