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 contemplation following their recent defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the summit of the table after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, yet both clubs remain level on points with five matches left, meaning 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 United at the Emirates Stadium, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as the first test of this fresh phase. He stressed that Arsenal are ready to rebound from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and City. "It is essential that we feel confidence, trust and crystal‑clear purpose about what we want to achieve on the pitch," Arteta 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, and we must deliver." He added that the squad possesses a blend of seasoned leaders and younger talents who, despite lacking experience, bring personality and determination to crucial moments. "We have many players who step up and influence the game, and the youngsters have the character to rise when it matters," he said. Arteta praised the way his players responded after the loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, noting that they used the downtime to recharge and reflect. "The immediate reaction in the dressing room was exactly what I wanted to see.
I could feel they were even more convinced than before the match that we can still win the title," he explained. He described the following week as a chance to reset. "It was a long week, the sun was shining, and we used that to refresh ourselves. We talked about the kind of team we want to become.
The analytical part was brief at the start of the week; after that we focused on the things we want to build and the clarity we need for the remaining five games. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta emphasized the privilege of being in such a position and the necessity of seizing it. "We value where we are, and now we must grab the opportunity," he said.
Despite the loss, Arsenal received commendation for adopting a more attacking approach against City, a tactic that appeared to catch the new league leaders off‑balance. The manager acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and admitted that squad selection would be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori on the verge of returning from injury. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – how we start and how we finish the game," Arteta remarked.
"We have to anticipate the game we expect at the beginning and be ready to adapt if circumstances change. Our squad offers a very different profile of players, which is a strength." He expressed optimism about the upcoming weekend, hoping to have two or three more players back, describing it as a "massive boost" for the team. Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message in a pre‑match interview with Sky Sports.
He said the manager told the group they "know how to get there" in the title race and finally end the 22‑year wait for a Premier League crown. Martinelli added, "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
We didn't get to this point by relying on anyone else; it’s because of us and the work we've done all season. We know how to reach the summit, we want to win the title and write our names into the club’s history. In these final five games, the pressure is even greater. Everyone believes in themselves within this club, and we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba also voiced the collective determination to give everything in the season's closing stages.
Speaking to Men In Blazers, he said, "We are in the crucial part of the season now. The last few weeks haven't been ideal, but we learn from them and look forward to Saturday to change everything." Saliba highlighted the importance of composure and effort: "We know what we have to do to win the league.
We must start strong on Saturday. There's a lot of pressure because when you play football at this level, you want to win these big games.
Losing is never pleasant, and we felt the defeat to City was undeserved, but that's life. We learned a lot from that match and now understand that everything is possible if we win every remaining game." He stressed the need for calmness and sacrifice: "We need to stay calm and give everything on the pitch. It's now or never. We need the fans, the staff, everyone – we have to lay everything on the line and fight for every ball." In summary, Arteta and his Arsenal side are entering what they describe as a "new league" with renewed focus, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.
The manager's emphasis on ownership, belief, and tactical flexibility, combined with the players' resolve to seize the moment, sets the stage for an intense final run‑in. With the title still within reach and the possibility of a historic triumph hanging in the balance, Arsenal aim to translate their renewed energy into results, hoping to clinch the Premier League and end a 22‑year drought.