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 at Manchester City. The Gunners slipped from the top of the table when 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 decide who lifts the trophy. Arteta described the last five games as a "new league" and highlighted the upcoming Saturday night clash with Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as the first test of this fresh phase.
He emphasized that Arsenal are prepared to rebound after consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and Manchester City. "It is crucial that we feel confidence, trust and clarity about what we intend 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 finish the tasks set before us." He praised the influence of senior players while also noting that younger members of the squad, even those lacking extensive experience, possess the personality and drive needed for this critical moment. "We have a lot of players who step up and are very influential, but the youngsters and the less experienced also bring a lot of character to the game," he added. According to Arteta, the reaction in the dressing room after the loss at the Etihad Stadium was exactly the kind of response he wanted.
He said the players seemed even more convinced that they could still secure the title. "Immediately after the game I could sense a stronger belief than before the match that we can achieve our goal," he explained. He described the week following the defeat as a chance to recharge and refocus.
"It was a long week, the sun was shining, and we used that time to refresh ourselves. We discussed the type 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 need to see and build again – the connection, the clarity, and the five games left.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta stressed 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 now we have to grab it," he said.
Despite the loss, Arsenal received compliments for adopting a more attacking approach against Manchester City, a tactic that appeared to catch the new league leaders off guard. This attacking mindset will be vital as the goal difference could become decisive in the final tally.
Looking ahead, Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of squad selection in the closing weeks, especially with key players such as 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 the game. The game we expect at the beginning may need to change if the context shifts. We have a varied profile of players, which is a strength.
Hopefully this weekend we will have another two or three players back, which would be a massive boost for us," he said. Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message, recalling that after the Etihad defeat the manager told the group they "know how to get there" and that they must end the 22‑year wait for a league title. Martinelli said Arteta emphasized self‑belief: "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
We didn't reach this point because of anyone else – it's because of us. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names in the club's history. In these five games, we have to be even more determined. Everyone believes in themselves inside this football club, so we just have to show it on the pitch and give our best for this badge." Defender William Saliba also voiced confidence, describing the final weeks as a chance to give everything for the historic prize after what he called an undeserved loss to City.
"We are in the crucial part of the season now. The last few weeks haven't been great, but we learn from them and now look forward to Saturday to change everything. We know what we have to do to win the league – we must start on Saturday. The pressure is good; when you play football you want these big games.
When you lose, it's disappointing, but we didn't deserve that loss. We learned a lot and now we know everything is possible. We must win every remaining match if we want the Premier League.
We need to stay calm, give everything, and fight for every ball. The fans, the staff, everyone must be all‑in." In summary, Arteta's message to his squad is clear: take ownership, trust in each other's abilities, and execute the plan on the field. The upcoming fixtures – beginning with Newcastle, followed by the remaining fixtures against top rivals – will test Arsenal's resolve, depth, and tactical flexibility. With key players returning, a refreshed mindset, and a renewed belief in their capacity to win, the Gunners aim to turn the final five games into a decisive sprint toward the Premier League crown, hoping to end a 22‑year drought and secure a place in history.