Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal squad to fully embrace the roar and intensity that comes with competing at the highest levels of English football and European competition. The manager believes that by loving the atmosphere surrounding Premier League and Champions League fixtures, his team can edge ever closer to securing the club’s first top‑flight championship in 22 years, a goal that could be within reach if they defeat Fulham in the upcoming Sky Sports broadcast. A victory over Fulham would see the Gunners potentially pull six points clear of second‑placed Manchester City on Saturday Night Football.
However, City still retain two games in hand, with their next clash scheduled against Everton on Monday night, also shown live on Sky. Throughout the season, Arsenal once held a nine‑point cushion over their rivals, but a dip in form during April allowed City to close the gap, turning the title chase into a genuine head‑to‑head battle. Critics have suggested that Arsenal might be "bottling" another Premier League title bid after finishing second in the previous three campaigns.
When pressed by Sky Sports about how he wants his players to conduct themselves during this decisive period, Arteta responded emphatically: "I tell them to love it. If you aspire 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 continued, "Do you want to be there? Then love being there. Celebrate the wins, and when you lose or fail to perform at your best – and there will be games where you misplace the ball – love those moments too. They make you stronger.
There is no alternative. If you aim to sit at the very top, you must understand that scrutiny is part of the package. It is normal, it is natural." Arteta also stressed that in a competition where only one team can lift the trophy, the rest must accept that they simply were not good enough.
"If anyone thinks otherwise, something is fundamentally wrong," he added. When asked about handling the stress that comes with a tight title race, the Arsenal boss explained that he filters criticism carefully.
He only pays attention to opinions from individuals who genuinely want the best for the club, dismissing all other commentary as irrelevant. "During my playing days I never read so much, especially from people who didn’t have the club’s interests at heart," he said.
Arteta elaborated, "When someone who truly cares offers feedback, I am open to it and I can be ruthless in my self‑assessment. That process brings growth. But I need to be convinced that the person’s intentions are sincere.
If they are merely trying to undermine us without any constructive purpose, then their voice is not worth my time." The title race is now so close that it could be decided on goal difference if both Arsenal and City win their remaining fixtures. Nevertheless, Arteta has placed particular emphasis on Saturday’s encounter with Fulham, believing that a win would bring the Gunners "very, very close" to the championship. He reflected on the season’s progression, recalling that the match against Newcastle was the first of five crucial games.
"Now we are on game two. If we win this one, we get incredibly close to the prize.
That is what drives us," he said. He likened the season to a series of five races. "The first race is finished, now it’s time for the second. You visualize the moment, you understand its significance: win another and you are right in the mix for the title," Arteta explained.
In summary, Arteta’s message to his players is clear: embrace every aspect of the journey, whether it brings jubilation or disappointment. By loving the pressure, learning from setbacks, and focusing only on constructive criticism, Arsenal can maintain momentum and keep their dream of ending a 22‑year wait for a league crown alive. The upcoming match against Fulham, broadcast live on Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football from a 5:30 pm kickoff, represents a pivotal step in that quest.