EPL: Arsenal haven’t given up on title despite blowing lead — Arteta

Despite surrendering their Premier League lead to Manchester City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains adamant that his squad has not lost heart and still believes they can clinch the title. The Gunners, currently level on points with City but trailing on goal difference, have a prime opportunity to reclaim pole position when they host Newcastle on Saturday.

“

Win tomorrow, game one win and then we’ll be much closer. I have belief in our players and our people and what we want to achieve.

This latest setback follows damaging losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City, which have seen Arsenal's once commanding nine-point lead evaporate. The team's recent form has been shaky, with only one win in their last six matches across all competitions. This mirrors a pattern from the previous two seasons, where late-season stumbles allowed City to snatch the trophy.

“

The energy raised and the belief raised. The clarity in what we have to do it cannot be better. Five games to go. Tomorrow game one, all in, let’s go for it.

Arteta, however, is drawing on his own past experiences to galvanize his players. He recalled winning the Scottish Premiership with Rangers on goal difference in 2003, a victory sealed by a last-second penalty. "It doesn’t get better than that. One of the best feelings I had in my career," he said, aiming to inspire a similar resilience in his current team.

“

Two big competitions to play for and everything to play for. If somebody had told us at the beginning of the season we would have taken it. We are so excited.

The manager emphasized the team's renewed focus and belief heading into the crucial final stretch of the season. "Five games to go. Tomorrow game one, all in, let’s go for it," he declared. With key players Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori expected to return from injury, Arsenal will be bolstered as they face Newcastle, knowing that a win could put them back in the driving seat for the title race.

“

I took the penalty, and we won the league by one goal difference. It doesn’t get better than that. One of the best feelings I had in my career.