Mikel Arteta has called for Arsenal to have “no fear” and “pure fire” in an extraordinary rallying cry ahead of the biggest week of his career at the club.
Arsenal are attempting to reach back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, with a potential Premier League title decider at Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, waiting in the wings on Sunday.
But Arsenal go into this week on a run of three defeats in four matches, going from four possible trophies to two. And after a shock home defeat by Bournemouth, Arteta’s ability to keep his team calm in the most important part of the season has been questioned.
But Arteta was at it again in the press conference room by admitting he himself is on “fire” ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg with Sporting CP on Wednesday, with his team 1-0 up on aggregate.
Asked what he wants from his team on Wednesday night, Arteta took his time for a few seconds and then replied: “No fear. Pure fire. That’s it.
“That’s what I want to see from the players, the people and myself. Go for every opportunity. It’s unbelievable.
“We are in April, an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it and go for it. I am putting everything into it.
“Fire! I’m on fire! That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much.
Mikel Arteta admits he is on fire right now
“I’ve done so much to be in this position. Because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much against anything that I just see beauty, opportunity. I want to get it done who have been on this journey with us. They deserve it, it’s unbelievable.
“I have zero fear. I had fear when: if we don’t get this done, I don’t know what happens to the club. Now? It’s just purpose, fire, direction.”
Asked if he is seeing it in his players, Arteta replied: “Yes. Big time.”
And asked if this is the biggest week of his Arsenal career, Arteta replied: “The biggest opportunity of six and a half years, yeah.”
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz looks at the influence Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win has had over Arsenal and whether it has revealed a blueprint in how to beat the Gunners.
Arteta reacts to Man City fan ‘bottle’ moment
Arsenal have been accused of “bottling” the Premier League title race, as they missed the chance to go 12 points clear of Manchester City on Saturday, before Pep Guardiola’s side – who have a game in hand – cut their lead to six by beating Chelsea on Sunday.
One Manchester City fan drank from an Arsenal ‘bottle’ in the away end – a clip which ended up going viral – and Arteta responded to that moment.
“One fan?” Arteta replied. “One fan that says something, over 60,000 fans that are incredible at the Emirates? I don’t get moved by that.
Man City fan pretends to drink from an Arsenal water bottle after Man City go 3-0 up against Chelsea.
“I show [my players] all the people and players that love these players for what they’re doing which is unprecedented in this club.”
“What we are trying to achieve, it’s difficult, challenging, bumpy at times. It’s supposed to be like this. You have to confront it.”
Arteta defended Arsenal’s recent wobble in form – admitting that getting over the line to claim a first Premier League title in 22 years, and reaching the latter stages of the Champions League is meant to be difficult.
“We are trying to do something, in this competition, that hasn’t been done in the history of the club – in 140 years,” said the Arsenal manager. “That tells you the difficulty of that.
Gary Neville suggests Mikel Arteta and his team need to normalise their preparation as much as possible ahead of their massive title run-in match against rivals Manchester City.
“We value a lot where we are. We want to be in the semi-finals. We are in a really strong position in the Premier League for 22 years without doing it. So we know the difficulty of that. The beauty of it, is that it’s difficult.
“We haven’t been in this position in the Champions League ever in our history. We have overcome a lot of hurdles that were there for 140 years, they’ve never been done before.
“If we want to go to the next step, for sure, we have to have more ambition than anyone else. We are doing it, and are very, very close.
“What I love about where we are is that there is no satisfaction about it. You haven’t asked me any questions about: congratulations, you’re going to be in the Champions League next year.
“Now we take it for granted. I assume the next 20 years this club is going to take it for granted that you’re fighting for titles in April. C’est fini. That’s great.
“I do value a lot what the players have done.”
