Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of Arsenal’s crucial clash with Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, addressing everything from injuries to the intensity of the title race as reported by Beanymansports via their YouTube channel. With just five games left, the message from the Arsenal camp is clear everything is on the line.
Speaking first on team fitness, Arteta delivered encouraging news, particularly regarding Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, while also confirming a key absence:
Bukayo is probably going to be in the squad, so that’s good news. Riccardo as well, most likely. Jurrien won’t be in the squad. Now it’s about getting those players not just available, but at their best level. At this stage of the season, that makes all the difference.
On the title race, Arteta’s tone was intense and focused, stressing belief, clarity, and urgency as Arsenal push toward the finish line:
The energy is there, the belief is there, and the clarity of what we need to do couldn’t be better. Five games to go tomorrow is game one. It’s all in. Everything we have, we have to put it on the table. If someone told us at the start of the season we’d be in this position, we’d take it. Now it’s about making it count.
Reflecting on what it takes to win under pressure, Arteta drew from his own experience, highlighting how fine the margins can be in a title race:
I’ve been in situations where it goes down to the last moment literally the last kick of the game. When everything is so tight, so demanding, and you finally get over the line, there is no better feeling. That’s what we’re chasing now, and we understand exactly what it requires.
On expectations and whether perfection is needed, Arteta kept things grounded but firm in approach:
I don’t know if it’s about being perfect. It’s about winning the next game. That’s the only thing we can control our performance, our mindset, our attitude. If we do that consistently, we give ourselves the best chance.
He also spoke on the importance of mentality over tactics in the closing stages of the season:
In this moment, mentality is huge. Where we are in the table, the number of games left it becomes about how much you want it, how much you’re willing to give. That has to show every time we step on the pitch.
Arteta reserved strong praise for Declan Rice, underlining his importance to the team:
We know the player we have in Declan. We’re very lucky to have him. His season has been outstanding again, and now it’s about the next performance. I’m sure he’ll step up when we need him.
On Bukayo Saka’s return after a difficult period, Arteta highlighted both the physical and mental recovery process:
He needed time. There was a moment he wasn’t comfortable sustaining performances, so we gave him space, the right treatment, and even time for himself. Now he’s back, and you can feel the difference the energy, the spirit. We’ve missed him, and this is the most important part of the season.
The Arsenal boss also acknowledged the reality of football management when asked about recent changes elsewhere:
It’s always sad to see a colleague leave, especially at this stage of the season. But we all understand the demands and the scrutiny of this job. At the end, the only thing that matters is winning matches.
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This comes amid broader context around Arsenal’s season, where Martin Ødegaard has already insisted the team still believes in lifting the Premier League title despite a recent narrow defeat to Manchester City. However, that optimism has been tested in recent weeks, with a surprising loss to Bournemouth raising questions about consistency and control during a critical period.
Softfootball note that Arteta’s message throughout the press conference was consistent focus on the next game, trust the squad, and give everything. With five matches left, Arsenal’s title hopes are still alive, but as Arteta made clear, belief alone won’t be enough execution will decide everything.
