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 were overtaken by City at the summit of the table after a 1-0 triumph 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 showdown with Newcastle at the Emirates as the first test of this fresh phase. He stressed that Arsenal are prepared to bounce back after back‑to‑back setbacks against Bournemouth and City, insisting that confidence, trust and a clear sense of purpose must underpin their performances on the pitch. "It's essential that we feel the confidence, the trust and the clarity about what we want to achieve on the field," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Now is the moment for every player to take ownership.
We can talk all day, but ultimately we have to step onto the pitch and deliver." He praised the influence of senior figures in the dressing room while also noting the growing importance of younger members who, despite lacking experience, possess the personality and drive required for such a crucial stage. According to Arteta, the reaction in the locker room after the loss at the Etihad was exactly the response he wanted to see.
"Immediately, the reaction in the dressing room was what I liked because I could sense they were even more convinced than before the game that we can do it," he said. The manager explained that the team used the following week – a sunny, long stretch – to recharge and refocus. "We used the sunshine 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 it was all about our objectives, the connection we need, and the clarity for the five games ahead.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." Arteta acknowledged the privilege of being in the current position and urged his players to seize the opportunity. He also highlighted that Arsenal's more attacking approach against Manchester City, even in defeat, had surprised the league leaders and demonstrated the Gunners' evolution under his guidance.
Looking ahead, Arteta admitted that goal difference could become a decisive factor in the title race, and that selecting the optimal lineup will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks. He is hopeful about the return of key players such as Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, who are expected to bolster the squad soon. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is nailing the starting eleven and deciding how we finish the game," Arteta explained. "We have to anticipate the game we expect at the beginning and then adapt if the context changes.
Our squad has a very varied profile, which is a strength. Hopefully this weekend we will have another two or three players back – that will be a massive boost." Forward Gabriel Martinelli echoed Arteta's message in a pre‑match interview. He recalled the manager telling the players that they "know how to get there" and that ending the 22‑year wait for a league title is within reach. "He told us to have full belief in ourselves.
We didn't get to this point by anyone else's work – it's because of us," Martinelli said. "We know how to get there, we want to win the title and write our names into the club's history. In these final five games, we have to show that belief on the pitch and give everything for the badge." Defender William Saliba also voiced confidence, describing the recent loss to City as undeserved and emphasizing the team's determination to give their all in the season's climax. "We are in the crucial part of the season now," he told Men In Blazers.
"The last few weeks haven't been great, but we learn from them and now we look forward to Saturday, aiming to change everything." Saliba added that the squad understands the pressure and the necessity of winning every remaining match. "When you lose a game, it's disappointing, but we know we didn't deserve that defeat. We have learned a lot and now we believe anything is possible. We must win each game if we want to take the Premier League.
We need to stay calm, give everything on the pitch, and involve the fans, the staff, everyone. It's about dying for the badge and leaving nothing behind." In summary, Arteta's message to his players is clear: take personal responsibility, maintain belief, and execute with precision in the final stretch.
With the league leaders level on points, a handful of games will decide whether Arsenal can overturn the deficit, capitalize on a favorable goal difference, and finally end a 22‑year wait for the English top‑flight crown. The upcoming fixtures – starting with Newcastle – will serve as the ultimate litmus test for the Gunners' resolve, depth and tactical flexibility as they aim to deliver the long‑awaited triumph for the club and its supporters.