Mikel Arteta: Arsenal will play with 'enjoyment' in Premier League title race

By SABC Sport
28th January 2026

Mikel Arteta has moved to steady nerves at Arsenal after a turbulent week by calling a meeting with his players following Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

The loss has tightened the Premier League title race and came amid a worrying dip in domestic form, with Arsenal taking just two points from the last nine available across their previous three league matches.

Despite the setback, the Gunners remain top of the table and still hold a four-point lead, leaving their destiny firmly in their own hands.

Arteta also delivered a message to supporters, urging Arsenal fans to relax and enjoy the situation rather than be consumed by anxiety. The Spaniard pointed to the club's strong overall position across competitions as evidence that perspective is needed.

"The reaction since United has been excellent. We took a moment [on Monday] to bring the temperature down, to pause, to reflect and ask two questions," said Arteta.

"One was: 'How do we feel? And how do I feel myself?' And then: 'How do we want to live the next four months?'

"It was so encouraging and beautiful, because what came out of there [the meeting] is very simple.

"We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions, and in the next four months we're going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we're going to win it.

"This is going to be the mindset and where we're going to put our energy, and I'm just hoping that everybody that is related to this club, especially our supporters, jump on that boat because this is the way that we're going to live the next four months because we deserve to live like this."

Arsenal remain unbeaten in the Champions League with a perfect record so far and return to European action at home on Wednesday against Kairat Almaty. Domestically, they are on course to reach the Carabao Cup final and are still competing in the FA Cup.

Having finished Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons and with a 22-year title drought hanging over the club, Arteta is keen to ensure pressure does not derail a campaign that still promises much.