Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has urged his players to rise to the occasion and return to winning ways ahead of the final five weeks of the Premier League title race. His comments arrived before the Gunners' league fixture against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, April 25.
Arsenal have been dominant this season and were leading the Premier League standings for more than 200 days. However, they have lost four out of their last six fixtures in all competitions, resulting in their elimination in the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
As a result of their poor form in recent weeks, Manchester City have claimed the top spot in the table, following their recent 1-0 win over Burnley. Both sides have 70 points from 33 games and a goal difference of 37; however, the Cityzens have scored more goals this season (66 compared to Arsenal's 63).
"The energy has raised, the belief has raised. The clarity of what we have to do, it cannot be better. Five games to go, four weeks. Two big competitions, and everything to play for. Tomorrow is game one. We are all in. Let’s go for it."
He added:
"If somebody would have told us at the beginning of the season this is where we would have been, we would have taken it. Win tomorrow, and then we will be much closer. You have to put it on the table, and you have to make it happen. We know what is at stake, how much we fought for this with our people, and now we have to do it on the pitch. Go and grab it."
Additionally, Arsenal have also excelled in the UEFA Champions League and remain unbeaten in the competition this season. They have reached the semi-finals and will next face Atletico Madrid in the first leg on Wednesday, April 29.
"He brings us a different energy" - Arteta provides injury update on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
From the aforementioned press conference, Mikel Arteta has revealed that Bukayo Saka has returned to full team training after missing their past five fixtures due to an Achilles tendon injury. Arteta admitted that the Gunners missed his services down the right wing and that the England international brings a different energy to the group.
Arteta commented:
"Bukayo’s had a tough period and we certainly missed him. We have given him some time because there was a moment that he was struggling to sustain the performances because he wasn’t comfortable at all. So, he has had the right treatment, the right space. He has had some time for himself, too, and now it’s the most important part of the season."
He added:
"It was a good moment for him as well to reflect and have some peace, because we’ve been constantly asking and demanding him, and it was a moment to say: ‘Okay, now when you feel ready let us know and we’ll go for it.’ He was in great spirits today, the sun is shining, he’s back with the team, and he brings us a different energy."
Arsenal have won just one game in Saka's absence, highlighting his impact in the starting XI. However, the 24-year-old has notably had a quiet season for his standards, bagging nine goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.