Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to embrace 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. Arsenal slipped from the summit after City’s 1-0 triumph at Burnley on Wednesday, but with both clubs level on points and only five matches left, 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 United at the Emirates as the first test of this renewed phase.
He stressed that Arsenal are ready to rebound from consecutive setbacks against Bournemouth and Manchester City. "It’s crucial that we feel confidence, trust and crystal‑clear clarity about what we intend to achieve on the pitch," he told Sky Sports.
He added, "Now is the moment for every player to take ownership. We can talk all day, but the real work happens on the field – we must simply get the job done.
We have many senior figures who lead by example, but the younger lads and those without much experience also bring personality and a willingness to step up when it matters." Arteta praised the reaction in the dressing room after the Etihad loss, noting that the team used the interval to recharge, refocus and reaffirm their collective ambition. "The immediate response in the locker room was exactly what I wanted to see – a deeper conviction that we can still achieve our goal," he said. He described the following week as a period of recovery: "The sun was out, we used the time to refresh, to talk about the kind of side we want to become. The tactical analysis was brief; the rest of the week was about rebuilding confidence, sharpening our vision and preparing for the five games ahead.
Newcastle is game one – we go for it." He also reflected on the privilege of being in this position: "We recognise how special it is to be here. We respect the opportunity, and now we must seize it." Despite the loss, Arsenal earned plaudits for adopting a more adventurous approach against City, a tactic that seemed to catch the league leaders off‑balance. Arteta acknowledged that goal difference could become a decisive factor and that squad selection will be his toughest challenge in the closing weeks, especially with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori edging back from injury. "One of the biggest headaches for any manager is getting the line‑up right – deciding how we start and how we finish each match.
We have to anticipate the game plan we expect, then adapt if circumstances change. Our squad offers a diverse profile, which is a strength. If we can add two or three more players this weekend, it will be a massive boost," Arteta explained. Forward Gabriel Martinelli relayed Arteta’s message to the squad after the Etihad defeat, emphasizing belief and self‑reliance.
"He told us to have full belief in ourselves. He reminded us that we didn’t reach this point because of anyone else – it’s because of what we’ve done all season. We know how to get there, we want to win the title and etch our names into the club’s history.
In these final five games, that conviction must be even stronger. Everyone believes in themselves at this club; we just have to show it on the pitch and give everything for the badge," Martinelli said.
Defender William Saliba echoed the sentiment, saying Arsenal are ready to give their all in the final weeks to end a 22‑year title drought after what he described as an undeserved loss to City. "We’re now in the crucial part of the season. The last few weeks haven’t been great, but we’ve learned from them and we’re looking forward to Saturday to turn things around.
We know exactly what we must do to win the league – we have to start strong on Saturday. The pressure is good; it’s the kind of football we thrive on." Saliba added, "Losing a game is painful, especially when we feel it was undeserved, but that’s part of life. We’ve taken lessons from that match and now believe anything is possible. We must win every remaining game if we want the Premier League.
We need to stay calm, fight with everything we have, and give everything – players, fans, staff – to die for the badge on the pitch." As the title race tightens, both Arsenal and Manchester City know that every point, every goal, and every tactical decision will be magnified. The Gunners’ renewed focus on ownership, confidence and collective belief could prove the catalyst they need to overturn the deficit and clinch the trophy that has eluded them for more than two decades.
The upcoming fixtures will test the depth of their squad, the resilience of their mindset, and the effectiveness of Arteta’s strategic adjustments. If they can harness the momentum from their recent reflections and maintain the attacking flair that impressed against City, Arsenal have a genuine chance to finish the season as champions, delivering a historic triumph for the club and its supporters.