Mikel Arteta ended up spending a good part of his latest press conference talking less about tactics and more about mood. The Manchester United defeat still hangs in the air, and naturally the questions turned toward how Arsenal reacted behind closed doors. A meeting took place earlier this week. Some assumed it was crisis management. Arteta doesn’t see it that way. From his perspective, it was simply part of keeping communication open at a time when the season is entering a decisive stretch.
THE MEETING WAS PART OF NORMAL ROUTINE
According to Arteta, meetings with players happen all the time. Win or lose. So this one, he said, wasn’t something dramatic. The idea was simply to stop for a moment and ask honest questions. How do players feel? What do they want from the next few months? Are they still pushing in the same direction?
Sometimes routine takes over during a long season. Training, travel, recovery, repeat. Arteta felt it was useful to break that pattern briefly and remind players what they are still fighting for.
THE PLAYERS’ RESPONSE AFTER DEFEAT
Losing games like the one against United hurts, especially when Arsenal felt they controlled large parts of it. But Arteta insists confidence hasn’t collapsed.
When he checked the mood in the group, the response he got was more frustration than fear. Players were annoyed at losing, not doubtful about what they can still achieve. That reaction actually encouraged him. The feeling inside, he says, remains positive despite the setback, with players already focused on correcting small details rather than dwelling on the result.
WHO ARTETA LEANS ON IN DIFFICULT MOMENTS
Managing pressure isn’t done alone. Arteta explained he speaks regularly with people throughout the club structure, from ownership figures to senior staff members. But he also made clear that players and coaching staff are the most important voices. They see daily training. They know when energy drops or when something clicks.
Outside football, family helps him reset. Sometimes that distance matters when emotions around results run high.
ZUBIMENDI ERROR NOT ABOUT TIREDNESS
Martin Zubimendi’s mistake against United quickly became a talking point. Some wondered if fatigue played a role. Arteta disagrees. Football often comes down to moments, he suggested. If Zubimendi scores earlier in the game, nobody questions his energy levels.
Mistakes, he added, come with playing progressive football. Arsenal take risks with possession. Sometimes those risks go wrong, but the manager feels changing identity because of one error would be the wrong reaction.
NORGAARD’S ROLE IS STILL IMPORTANT
Christian Norgaard hasn’t played huge minutes recently, but Arteta still values his presence.
Some players influence games directly. Others influence the environment around the squad. Experience still counts, especially across a long campaign, where mentality and dressing-room standards can quietly shape results.
TEAM MEETING WAS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY, NOT BLAME
One interesting detail was how the meeting itself played out. No shouting. No accusations. Players were encouraged to focus on themselves. What they could improve. How they could help the team more. Arteta believes pointing fingers rarely solves anything.
He praised the honesty inside the group. Players, he says, are open about mistakes when necessary, and that openness helps keep trust intact during difficult weeks.
TITLE PRESSURE SEEN DIFFERENTLY INSIDE
Asked whether the title race pressure weighs heavily, Arteta gave a simple answer. For him, it brings excitement. That’s how he wants the squad to see it too. Opportunity rather than burden, especially with so much still within their control.
MENTALITY SHOWS DURING MATCHES
Arsenal use sports psychology support, but Arteta stressed that real mentality shows during games. Coaches can help prepare players, but reactions under pressure cannot be rehearsed completely. When mistakes happen or momentum swings, players have to deal with it in real time.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
Arteta didn’t sound like a manager trying to fix a crisis. More like one trying to keep perspective. Arsenal still believe their performances are strong even if results wobble occasionally. The coming weeks will show whether belief survives pressure, but internally things don’t sound shaken. They sound annoyed, maybe, but still convinced they’re on the right path.
As featured on GoonerNews.com