Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has shifted full focus to the crucial Premier League clash against Fulham, as the title race enters its decisive stage.
This comes after Arsenal’s intense 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, followed by a narrow 1–0 victory over Newcastle United that kept their title hopes alive.
Speaking ahead of the Fulham game as reported by beanysports via their youtube channel, Arteta gave an update on injuries and squad fitness, saying:
I think so. Let’s see how everybody is tomorrow morning because we haven’t really had the chance to train properly after the last game. It’s been more about recovery than anything else, so tomorrow will give us the final and clearest picture. Kai and Duran will be out, that is confirmed, and with Martin we are still assessing him carefully, so we will make the best possible decision for the team.
Reflecting on his emotional reaction after the midweek clash, the Arsenal boss made it clear his mindset has already shifted:
Now it’s all about Fulham. The feeling is hunger, real hunger to play again, to compete again and to show what we are capable of. We want to win, we want to push ourselves and we want to get closer to achieving the dream that we have been chasing since the beginning of the season.
On whether recent events could fuel his team mentally, Arteta insisted the motivation is already there:
We already have enough fuel in the tank, we don’t need anything extra to motivate us. We are in a position where we are fighting to win the Premier League, exactly where we wanted to be. There are only four games left now, every moment matters and the team is ready to give everything.
He also highlighted the mentality within the squad when asked what he sees in his players:
What I see is hunger, pure hunger to win football matches. They want to compete at the highest level, they want to prepare the right way every single day and they are fully committed to achieving the objective that we set from the very first day of the season.
Sending a message to the fans ahead of the final stretch, Arteta called for unity:
The message is very clear, let’s continue doing exactly what we have done all season. Bring the energy, bring the passion, support the team in every action and every moment, and together we can make something special happen at the end.
The Arsenal manager also acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming opponent, praising Fulham’s progress under Marco Silva:
What Marco has done is remarkable, not just this season but over a consistent period of time. In my opinion he is one of the best managers in this league. The way his teams are organised, the intensity they play with and the identity they have built is incredible, so we know it’s going to be a very tough game.
On key players, Arteta reserved special praise for Declan Rice, emphasizing his consistency:
What Declan is doing is simply incredible. To play that number of games, with that level of quality and consistency every single time, is extremely difficult. He’s been doing it not just this season but over a long period, and that tells you everything about his mentality and his importance to the team.
He also spoke about managing fatigue during such a demanding period:
At this stage of the season, sometimes less is more. It’s not about doing more training sessions or adding more work, it’s about making sure the players are fresh, mentally and physically ready, and able to perform at their best when they step onto the pitch.
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Softfootball understands that Arsenal are entering the final stretch of the season with a clear mindset balancing physical recovery, tactical clarity, and emotional control as they push on two fronts.
With both the Premier League title and Champions League progression within reach, Arteta’s message is simple: stay focused, stay hungry, and finish strong.
