Mikel Arteta has shared that he convened a meeting with his players to “cool things down” and urged Arsenal’s concerned fanbase to “join the fun boat” following their loss to Manchester United.
Arsenal’s quest for the Premier League title faced a setback after a 3-2 defeat to United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, leaving Arteta’s team with just two points from their last three outings.
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Despite this setback, Arsenal remains four points ahead at the top of the table and will face Kairat Almaty at home in the Champions League on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their perfect record in Europe this season. They are also on track to reach the Carabao Cup final and continue their journey in the FA Cup.
Arteta stated, “The response since the match against United has been fantastic. We took some time on Monday to lower the temperature, pause, and reflect, asking ourselves two questions.”
He continued: “The first was, ‘How do we feel? How do I feel personally?’ The second was, ‘How do we want to approach the next four months?’
“What came out of our meeting was very encouraging. We’ve earned the right to be competitive in four competitions, and over the next four months, we will play with enjoyment, bravery, and the belief that we can win.”
“This mindset is where we will focus our energy, and I hope all those connected to this club, especially our supporters, will join us on this journey because it’s how we intend to live in the coming months—we deserve to enjoy this experience.”
Arteta emphasized that the meeting on Monday was pre-planned, saying, “We hold these every three to four weeks. It’s vital to understand both reality and perspective, sometimes examining things closely and at other times viewing them more broadly.”
“I expressed to the players how talented they are, and how thankful we are to be with them every day, ensuring we embrace this moment with conviction because it’s our time, and we want it badly.”
Arsenal has been runners-up in the league for the last three seasons, without a championship title for 22 years. When asked if this history weighs on the supporters’ minds—some of whom reacted with boos after the United match—Arteta remarked: “It’s a possibility, but that’s beyond our control. The past should serve as a strong lesson for the future.”
“That’s why I encouraged them to jump on this boat; it’s going to be exciting. The energy, enthusiasm, and determination are the way to pursue a dream. We will give it our all.”
Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will miss the match against Kairat due to suspension, while injured players Jurriën Timber and William Saliba are also sidelined.