Arteta rallies Arsenal for huge Premier League weekend: “Stay present and live the moment”

There is a different energy around the Emirates this spring. It is not the nervous tension of past collapses, nor the hollow hope of a rebuild still in progress. It is something rarer: the quiet, electric hum of a team that believes it is destined for greatness. With Mikel Arteta at the helm, Arsenal are on the cusp of a historic double, and the Spanish manager is doing everything in his power to keep his squad grounded, focused, and hungry.

On Friday, Arteta delivered a message that resonated through the corridors of London Colney and across the fanbase. “We are closer and closer, and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not,” he said. “Stay present and live the moment.” It is a rallying cry for a club that has not won a Premier League title in 22 years—and one that now stands just three wins away from ending that drought.

The Premier League run-in: Three games to immortality

Arsenal currently sit five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s side hold a game in hand. The mathematics are simple: win their remaining three fixtures—against Everton, Newcastle United, and Southampton—and the title is theirs, regardless of what City do. But in a league as unforgiving as the Premier League, simplicity is often an illusion.

Arteta knows this better than most. He has already won the FA Cup and two Community Shields as Arsenal manager, but a league title would dwarf those achievements. It would signal the completion of a transformation that began with a clear-out of deadwood and a commitment to youth, and it would cement Arteta’s place among the elite managers in world football.

The immediate challenge is this weekend’s clash with Everton. While the Toffees are fighting for their own survival, Arsenal cannot afford to slip. “Every game is a final now,” Arteta added. “The focus has to be on what we can control—our performance, our intensity, our mentality.”

• Saturday: Arsenal vs. Everton (Home) – A must-win against a resurgent Everton side under Sean Dyche.
• Next week: Newcastle United (Away) – St. James’ Park is never an easy trip, but Arsenal’s away form has been stellar.
• Final day: Southampton (Home) – The Saints could already be relegated, but complacency is the enemy.

Champions League euphoria: A final 20 years in the making

As if the league drama were not enough, Arsenal are also preparing for a Champions League final against Paris St-Germain in Budapest on 30 May. On Tuesday, they secured a gritty 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid—a tie that showcased the defensive resilience and attacking flair Arteta has instilled. It is the club’s first European Cup final since 2005, and the first under the Champions League banner since 2006.

The double is now a very real possibility. But Arteta is wary of letting the occasion overwhelm his players. “We have not won anything yet,” he reminded reporters. “The final is a dream, but the league is the bread and butter. We have to earn the right to celebrate.”

The squad’s depth has been a key factor. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice have been instrumental, while the emergence of young talents like Ethan Nwaneri has given Arteta tactical flexibility. “The squad is united,” said Arteta. “Everyone knows their role, and that is why we are where we are.”

Expert analysis: Why Arsenal are built for the finish line

From a tactical perspective, Arsenal’s success this season has been built on a high-pressing system combined with controlled possession. They do not rely on a single superstar; instead, they rotate threats across the pitch. Ødegaard pulls the strings from midfield, Saka and Gabriel Martinelli stretch defenses wide, and Kai Havertz has found a new lease on life as a false nine or attacking midfielder.

Defensively, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have formed the most reliable center-back partnership in the league, while David Raya’s composure in goal has been a revelation. The team’s ability to grind out results—like the 1-0 win over Atletico in the second leg—shows a maturity that was missing in previous seasons.

“The key is the mentality,” says former Arsenal midfielder and pundit Ray Parlour. “In the past, they would have crumbled under pressure. Now, they look like they actually enjoy it. Arteta has built a culture of resilience.”

However, the schedule is unforgiving. Between now and the end of May, Arsenal could play up to five more matches if they go deep in the league and cup. Rotation will be critical. Arteta has already shown he trusts his bench, with players like Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, and Jakub Kiwior stepping up when called upon.

Predictions: Can Arsenal hold off City and lift the double?

History suggests that Manchester City are the masters of late-season surges. They have won the title on the final day before, and with Erling Haaland back in form, they remain a threat. But this Arsenal team is different. They have a psychological edge—the belief that comes from beating City twice this season, including a 1-0 win at the Emirates in October and a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in February.

If Arsenal win their next two league games, the pressure on City will be immense. The title race could be decided before the final day, but Arteta is not looking that far ahead. “We take it game by game,” he said. “That is the only way to handle this.”

As for the Champions League final, PSG are formidable but beatable. Arsenal’s defensive structure and counter-attacking speed could exploit the French champions’ occasional defensive lapses. A double is not just possible—it is probable if Arsenal maintain their current focus.

My prediction: Arsenal win the Premier League on the final day with a 3-1 victory over Southampton, then edge PSG 2-1 in Budapest. Arteta becomes the first manager since Alex Ferguson to win the double in his first major title charge.

Strong conclusion: The moment is now

Mikel Arteta has asked his players and fans to “stay present and live the moment.” It is sage advice for a club that has waited two decades for a league title and two years for a Champions League final. The noise outside the stadium—the punditry, the betting odds, the historical comparisons—can be deafening. But inside the Arsenal camp, there is only silence, focus, and an unshakeable belief.

This weekend, against Everton, the journey continues. One step at a time. One game at a time. And if Arteta’s men can keep their nerve, they will not just win the Premier League—they will etch their names into the folklore of English football. The double is calling. All they have to do is answer.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.