Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to assume full responsibility for the Premier League chase and to "get the job done" after a brief period of rest and 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 matches remaining. The championship is still very much up for grabs, and Arteta believes the final stretch represents a "new league" for his side.
The manager highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this renewed phase. He stressed that Arsenal are ready to rebound from the back‑to‑back setbacks suffered against Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and a clear plan on the pitch.
"It's crucial that we feel the belief, the trust and the clarity about what we want to achieve on the field," he 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 finish the task." Arteta praised the character of his squad, noting that senior figures continue to lead by example while younger players, even those lacking extensive experience, are also showing the personality required for such a high‑stakes period.
He observed that the reaction in the dressing room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly what he hoped for – a renewed conviction that the title is still within reach. "Immediately, the response in the locker room was positive.
I could sense they were even more convinced than before the game that we can still achieve it," he explained. The week following the defeat was deliberately used as a chance to recharge. Arteta said the team took advantage of sunny weather to unwind, while also having a brief analytical session early in the week.
After that, the focus shifted to rebuilding the identity they want to embody for the remainder of the season. "We talked about the team we want to become. The analysis was short; the rest of the week was about clarity, connection and the five games left.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it," he added. He also reflected on the privilege of being in such a position, urging the players to seize the opportunity. "We value where we are, now we need to grab it," Arteta said. Despite the loss, Arsenal earned commendation for an attacking approach that seemed to catch the new league leaders off guard, suggesting that the team’s style could be a decisive factor as the title race tightens.
Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a crucial tiebreaker, making squad selection in the final weeks a particularly challenging task. He highlighted the impending returns of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury as potential game‑changing factors. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right from the start to the finish of the match," he admitted. "We have a varied player profile, which is an advantage.
Hopefully this weekend we’ll have two or three more players back – that would be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta’s message, recalling the manager’s words after the Etihad defeat: the players need to believe they know how to reach the summit and finally end the club’s 22‑year wait for the league crown. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
We didn’t get here 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 in the club’s history," Martinelli said.
Defender William Saliba also stressed the team’s determination to give everything in the closing weeks. Speaking to Men In Blazers, he described the recent loss as undeserved but a learning experience.
"We’re now in the crucial part of the season. 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," Saliba explained. He added that the squad understands the pressure and the necessity of winning every remaining game: "We have to be calm, we have to give everything on the pitch, and we need the fans, the staff, everyone behind us." In summary, Arteta’s message to his players is clear: take ownership, maintain belief, and execute the plan on the field.
With a tight points tally, a possible goal‑difference decider, and key players returning from injury, Arsenal’s final five matches will be a decisive marathon. The upcoming fixture against Newcastle marks the start of this new chapter, and the Gunners are determined to seize the moment, finish strong, and finally lift the Premier League trophy after more than two decades of waiting.