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 reflection following their defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the summit after City’s 1-0 victory at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs level on points and five matches left, the championship remains very much up for grabs. Arteta described the final five‑game stretch as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night showdown with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test in this fresh chapter.
He believes Arsenal are ready to rebound from the back‑to‑back setbacks suffered against Bournemouth and City, emphasizing the need for confidence, trust and clarity about what the team wants to achieve on the pitch. "It's essential that we feel confident, that we trust each other and that we have a clear idea of what we need to deliver," 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 – we have to get the job done." He praised the influence of senior figures in the dressing room while also noting the growing importance of younger players and those without extensive experience, all of whom have shown the personality required for such a crucial phase.
The manager said he was encouraged by the reaction in the locker room after the loss at the Etihad Stadium. "Immediately after the game, I could sense that the squad were even more convinced than before that we can still achieve our goal," he explained.
The team used the following week to recharge, taking advantage of sunny weather to unwind and discuss the type of side they aspire to become. Arteta kept the analytical session short, then shifted the focus to the collective vision for the remaining fixtures, stressing the need for connection, clarity and determination. "We used the sunshine to refresh ourselves and talk about the football we want to play.
The tactical talk was brief; the rest of the week was about rebuilding our belief and outlining what we need to see and build again," he said. "Newcastle is game one – we go for it. We are privileged to be in this position, we value it, and now we must seize it." Even though Arsenal fell short against City, they earned praise for a more attacking approach that appeared to catch the new league leaders off guard. Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and admitted that selecting the right lineup will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori nearing fitness.
"One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the starting eleven right and deciding how we finish the game," Arteta said. "We have to anticipate the scenario we expect at kickoff and be ready to adapt if the context changes. Our squad has a varied profile, which is a strength. Hopefully we’ll have two or three more players back this weekend – that would be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta's message to the squad after the Etihad loss, noting that the manager reminded them they "know how to get there" and that ending the 22‑year wait for a league title is within reach.
Martinelli echoed the sentiment, emphasizing self‑belief and personal accountability. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
He said we didn’t get this far because of anyone else – it’s because of us," Martinelli said. "We know how to reach the summit, we want to win the title and write our names into the club’s history. In the next five games we must be even more determined. Everyone in this club believes in themselves; we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for the badge." Defender William Saliba added that the squad is prepared to give everything in the final weeks to finally break the 22‑year drought after what he described as an undeserved defeat to City.
He stressed the importance of learning from recent setbacks and approaching the remaining fixtures with calm and determination. "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’ve learned from them and now we look forward to Saturday, hoping to change everything. We know what we must do to win the league – we have to start on Saturday and maintain pressure.
When you lose, it’s disappointing, but we accept it and move on. We’ve learned a lot and now every game is a must‑win if we want the Premier League. We need to stay calm, give everything on the field, and rely on the fans, the staff, and each other." The upcoming fixtures will test Arsenal’s depth, tactical flexibility and mental resilience. With the title race tightening, every point matters, and Arteta’s emphasis on ownership, confidence and collective belief will be vital as the Gunners aim to convert their recent momentum into a historic championship triumph.