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 their defeat at the hands of Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table after City secured a 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 the final stretch will determine who lifts the trophy. Arteta described the remaining five games as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday evening fixture against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He emphasized that Arsenal are ready to bounce back after consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and Manchester City. "It is crucial that we feel confidence, trust and clarity 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 get the job done." He praised the influence of senior figures in the dressing room while also noting the importance of younger players and those with less experience, stating that they bring personality and a willingness to step up in critical moments. The manager was pleased with the way his team responded to the loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
He said the players used the time after the match to recharge, reflect, and refocus on the collective goals for the remainder of the season. "The immediate reaction in the locker room was exactly what I wanted to see," Arteta explained. "You could sense that the players were even more convinced than before the game that we can still achieve our objective." He added that the week after the defeat was spent in a constructive manner: "It was a sunny week, we used it to recharge and refresh. We discussed the kind of team we want to become.
The analytical part was brief and at the start of the week. After that, we concentrated on the things we want to see and build again – that connection, that clarity, and the five games left. Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta underscored how privileged he feels to be in such a position and urged his players to seize the opportunity: "We value where we are now, and we must grab it with both hands." Even though Arsenal fell short against City, many observers praised the Gunners for adopting a more attacking approach that appeared to catch the league leaders off balance.
The performance suggested that Arsenal can adapt their style and threaten even the strongest opponents. Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the title race.
He admitted that selecting the right lineup for the final weeks will be his biggest challenge, especially with key players Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori edging closer to returning from injury. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is figuring out the starting eleven and how we will finish the game," he said. "We need to anticipate the scenario we expect at the beginning and be ready to adjust if the context changes.
We have a very diverse group of players, which is a strength." He expressed optimism about the upcoming weekend: "Hopefully we will have another two or three players back, which would be a massive boost for us, and we are looking forward to that." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta's message to the squad after the Etihad defeat, emphasizing the belief that the team knows how to reach the summit and end a 22‑year wait for the league title. Martinelli quoted the manager: "He told us to have full belief in ourselves. We didn’t get to this point and play good football because of anyone else – it’s because of us.
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." He added, "In these last five games the pressure will be even greater.
Everyone in this club believes in themselves, so we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, saying Arsenal are prepared to give everything in the final weeks to finally break the 22‑year drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to Manchester City. "We are now in the crucial part of the season," Saliba told Men In Blazers.
"The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we learn from them and now we look forward to Saturday to change everything." He continued, "We know what we have to do to win the league. We must start strong on Saturday. The pressure is on because when you play football at this level you want these kinds of games. When you lose, you’re not happy – we didn’t deserve that loss, but that’s life.
It’s a lesson." Saliba stressed the importance of composure and collective effort: "We learned a lot from that game and now we know anything is possible. We have to win every remaining match if we want the Premier League.
We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and fight until the final whistle. The fans, the staff, the whole club must be behind us." In summary, Arteta and his leadership group are focused on instilling confidence, ensuring clear tactical plans, and maximizing the contributions of both seasoned veterans and emerging talents.
With five games left, every point, every goal, and every decision will be scrutinised, and the Gunners are determined to seize the moment and bring the long‑awaited league crown back to North London.