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 were overtaken by City at the top of the table after a 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday.
With both clubs now level on points and only five matches left, the championship is still very much up for grabs. Arteta described the final five‑game stretch as "a new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night encounter with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He insisted Arsenal are prepared to bounce back after consecutive losses to Bournemouth and City.
"Confidence, trust and clarity about what we want to achieve on the pitch are essential," he told Sky Sports. "Now is the time for every player to take ownership.
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 figures while also noting that younger members of the squad, even those lacking extensive experience, possess the personality needed to step up in crucial moments. According to Arteta, the reaction in the dressing room after the Etihad loss was exactly what he hoped for. He said the players seemed even more convinced that they could still clinch the title.
"It was a long week, the sun was shining and we used that time to recharge and refresh," Arteta explained. "We discussed the type of team we want to become. The tactical analysis was brief and took place early in the week. After that, the focus shifted to our objectives, the clarity we need, and the five games remaining.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." He added, "We are privileged to be in this position. We value it, and now we must seize it." Even though Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised the more attacking approach they displayed, which seemed to catch the league leaders off balance. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection would be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with 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, how we finish, and how we adapt if the game changes," he said. "We have a varied profile of players, which is an advantage. If we can get two or three more players back this weekend, it will be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message, recalling that after the Etihad defeat the manager told the team they "know how to get there" and that they must finally end the 22‑year wait for a league crown. Martinelli said, "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
He reminded us that we didn't reach this point by luck or by anyone else – it’s because of what we have 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 determined. Everyone believes in themselves at this club; now we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba also stressed the team's resolve to give everything in the final weeks to end the 22‑year drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to City.
"We are in the crucial part of the season now," Saliba told Men In Blazers. "The last few weeks haven't been great, but we have learned from them and we are looking forward to Saturday to change everything. We know exactly what we must do to win the league – we have to start on Saturday and keep the pressure on." He continued, "Losing a game is never pleasant, and we felt we didn't deserve that defeat.
But that's football – you learn, you move on, and you understand that anything is possible if you win each remaining match. We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight for every ball. The fans, the staff, the whole club must be united. We have to die for the badge, give our all, and push for that Premier League trophy." In summary, Arteta's message to his players is clear: take responsibility, maintain belief, and execute on the field.
With the title race balanced on a knife‑edge, Arsenal's next five fixtures will determine whether they can convert their potential into the long‑awaited league triumph.