Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta directs squad to prioritise Premier League title and Champions League final
With three wins required from their remaining fixtures and a Champions League final against Paris St-Germain in Budapest looming, Arteta insists the club must stay present and live the moment.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has instructed his squad to maintain intense focus as the club prepares for a decisive weekend in the Premier League title race. Addressing the team and supporters, Arteta urged everyone to "stay present and live the moment", emphasising that the energy and desire shown throughout the season must be replicated in the final stretch of the campaign.
The Gunners currently sit five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, requiring three wins from their remaining three fixtures to secure their first league title in 22 years. While the mood at the training ground is high following a semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, Arteta clarified that the club's energy and detail are solely focused on picking up three points against the Hammers, Burnley, and Crystal Palace.
Simultaneously, the team is set to face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May after defeating Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. This potential double adds significant pressure to the squad, yet Arteta remains steadfast that the immediate priority is the domestic league, noting that every action taken now will ultimately determine whether they win the trophy or not.
Rival Manchester City, who have a game in hand, require three victories from their remaining matches to catch Arsenal. The Citizens recently suffered an uncharacteristic stumble with a 3-3 draw against Everton, which kept them in contention for a seventh league trophy under Pep Guardiola. Their fixture list includes matches against Brentford, Palace, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, with the FA Cup final against Chelsea interspersed.
At the bottom of the table, West Ham remains in the relegation zone with three games left against Arsenal, away at Newcastle, and home to Leeds. Tottenham has moved out of the danger zone, leaving the London club to fight for survival. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes the atmosphere at the London Stadium will be crucial for their survival, stating that the fans have been extra helpful recently.
The mathematical requirements for both clubs are complex, with City needing to win all remaining games to catch Arsenal, while West Ham must secure two wins and a draw to avoid relegation. As the season draws to a close, the focus remains on the immediate fixtures, with Arteta acknowledging the mixed reactions to recent celebrations but insisting the fun police should not stop players from enjoying their achievement.
