Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to embrace responsibility and "get the job done" as they head into the final stretch of the Premier League campaign. After a disappointing loss to Manchester City, the Gunners took a brief pause to recuperate and reassess, and Arteta believes the team now has the clarity and confidence needed to challenge for the crown.
The defeat at the Etihad saw Arsenal slip from the top of the table, with City moving into first place after a 1-0 victory at Burnley. However, both clubs remain level on points with five matches left, meaning the title is still very much up for grabs.
Arteta described the remaining fixtures as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this renewed phase. "It's crucial that we feel confidence, trust and a clear idea of what we want to achieve on the pitch," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for every player to take ownership.
We can talk all day, but the real work happens on the field, and we must get the job done." He praised the influence of senior figures in the dressing room while also noting the growing importance of younger members and those without extensive experience. "We have a lot of players who step up and are very influential, but the younger lads also have personality and the desire to rise to the occasion," he added. Arteta was particularly pleased with the team's reaction after the loss at the Etihad. He said the players used the subsequent break to recharge both physically and mentally, turning a tough week into an opportunity for reflection.
"The immediate response in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see – a renewed belief that we can still achieve our goal," he explained. He described the week following the defeat as a chance to enjoy the sunshine, relax, and discuss the type of side they aspire to become. "The analytical part was brief and at the start of the week.
After that, we focused on the qualities we want to display and the clarity we need for the final five games. Newcastle is game one – we go for it," Arteta said.
The manager emphasized how fortunate he feels to be in such a position. "We are privileged to be where we are. We must value it and seize the opportunity now," he remarked. Despite the loss, Arsenal received compliments for adopting a more attacking approach against City, a tactic that appeared to catch the league leaders off‑balance.
As the title race tightens, goal difference could become a decisive factor, and Arteta admitted that selecting his lineup will be his biggest challenge in the coming weeks, especially with key players like Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – how we start and how we finish a game," Arteta said.
"We have a varied player profile, which is a strength. Hopefully, this weekend we will have two or three more players back, which would be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message in a pre‑match interview. He recalled the manager telling the squad that they "know how to get there" – referring to the title race – and that they must finish the 22‑year wait for a 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 and what we've done all season," Martinelli said. Martinelli added, "We know how to reach the summit, we want to win the title and etch our names into the club's history. In these last five games, that belief will be even more important.
Everyone believes in themselves at this club, and we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba also stressed the team's determination to give everything in the final weeks. Speaking to Men In Blazers, he described the recent defeat to City as undeserved but a learning experience. "We are in the crucial part of the season now.
The last few weeks haven't been great, but we learn from that and look forward to Saturday to change everything," Saliba said. He highlighted the pressure that comes with high‑stakes games, noting that losing a match is disappointing but part of the sport.
"We know we didn't deserve to lose the last game, but that's life. We learned a lot and now we understand that everything is possible if we win each remaining match," Saliba explained.
Saliba called for composure and total commitment from everyone involved – players, staff, and fans alike. "We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight until the final whistle. The fans, the team, the staff – we all have to give our all," he concluded.
As Arsenal prepare for the Newcastle showdown, the atmosphere at the Emirates is charged with anticipation. The team’s recent tactical shift, the return of key injured players, and a renewed sense of ownership among the squad could prove decisive.
With five games left and the title still within reach, Arteta and his players are poised to translate their belief into results, aiming to end a 22‑year wait for the Premier League trophy.