Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal squad to fully embrace the excitement and intensity that comes with competing at the highest levels of English and European football. The manager believes that by learning to love the atmosphere surrounding Premier League and Champions League battles, his players can edge ever closer to ending a 22‑year wait for a top‑flight title, especially if they secure a win over Fulham in the Sky Sports broadcast.
A victory against Fulham would see the Gunners potentially pull six points ahead of second‑placed Manchester City in Saturday Night Football, even though Guardiola’s side still have two games in hand, beginning with an away fixture at Everton on Monday night, also shown live on Sky. Arsenal once held a nine‑point cushion during the season, but a dip in form in April allowed City to close the gap, turning the title chase into a genuine head‑to‑head contest. Critics have suggested that Arsenal are once again "bottling" a title bid after finishing runners‑up for three consecutive seasons. When Sky Sports asked Arteta how he wants his players to behave during these decisive weeks, the manager gave a simple, yet powerful answer: "I tell them to love it." "If you aim to win the Premier League and the Champions League, you have to accept that you will lose a match and that critics will tear you apart.
That's the reality," he explained. "Do you want to be there? Then love being there.
Celebrate the wins, relish the victories, but also love the defeats and the moments when you don't perform at your best. Those are the times you learn and improve." Arteta stressed that there is no alternative if a club wants to sit at the summit of the game: "People are waiting for you at the top, and that's natural. Only one team can lift the trophy. If you think otherwise, something is fundamentally wrong." When pressed about how he copes with the immense pressure of a title race, Arteta highlighted his selective approach to criticism.
He only pays attention to feedback from those who genuinely care about the club’s success, dismissing any other opinions as irrelevant. "During my playing days I never read so much, especially from people who didn't have the club’s best interests at heart," he said.
He continued, "When someone who wants the best for the team offers an opinion, I’m open to it and I can be ruthless in my response. It can be painful, but it also brings growth. However, if the person is just looking to cause damage without purpose, their words aren't worth my time." The Premier League title race is now incredibly tight, and if both Arsenal and Manchester City win their remaining fixtures, the championship could be decided on goal difference.
Arteta, however, has placed particular emphasis on Saturday’s clash with Fulham, insisting that a win would bring the Gunners "very, very close" to the coveted trophy. Reflecting on the season’s turning points, Arteta recalled, "Against Newcastle there were five games left – that was game one. Now we’re on game two.
If we win this one, we get incredibly close to the title. That's the motivation driving us." He likened the campaign to a series of five races, each one building on the last. "The first race is over, now it’s time for the second. Visualise the moment, understand its significance – win another and you are right in the mix for the championship," he said.
Arteta’s message to his players is clear: embrace every facet of the journey, from the roar of the crowd to the sting of defeat. By doing so, the team can develop resilience, sharpen their competitive edge, and keep their sights firmly fixed on the ultimate prize.
The upcoming match against Fulham, broadcast live on Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football at 5:30 pm, could be the decisive step that propels Arsenal into the final stretch of a title chase that has captivated fans across the country.