Mikel Arteta has made it clear to his players vying for the title that if they cannot cope with the “noise” and “bullets” that come with competing for the Premier League, they should consider joining another club.
This weekend, Arsenal is set to face their longtime rivals Tottenham, with their title credentials at stake after they let a two-goal lead slip in a draw against bottom-placed Wolves.
Despite this setback, Arsenal still controls its own destiny, sitting at the top of the league and preparing for a crucial short trip across north London.
Arteta’s team, who have finished second for the past three seasons, have been labeled “bottlers” following the draw against Wolves, an assertion Arteta quickly refuted.
However, it’s worth noting that Arsenal has only won two out of their last seven league fixtures.
In response to concerns that external pressures might overwhelm his squad, Arteta emphasized, “You must ask them: Do you want to engage with the noise? If not, then go and pursue something else.”
“Either you want to be part of Arsenal or you can choose a different club. Fans have expected for years that we would be back in title contention, and now that we are, they can’t shy away from the noise.”
“Noise is part of the game, and you need to accept it. We are committed to managing these challenges and achieving our goals.”
“Ultimately, we need to focus on winning the next match. That’s the only thing within our control to reinforce our position.”
Concerns persist over Martin Ødegaard, who has only played 45 minutes across Arsenal’s last five matches due to injuries. Nonetheless, he may be fit to lead his team against Tottenham.
Ødegaard’s performance has sparked considerable discussion, with just one goal to his name this season and two league goals in the past year.
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His playing time has been impacted by various injuries. Arteta commented, “The amount of time Ødegaard has been available has not been ideal.” He added, “Injuries are the most challenging aspect of our profession, especially when a player faces multiple setbacks. I recognize Martin’s desire to contribute, and it’s difficult for him.”