Mikel Arteta has given a rare rallying cry, telling his side to be “unafraid” and “pure fire” ahead of the biggest week of his Arsenal career.
Arsenal are aiming 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 against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, waiting in the wings on Sunday.
However, Arsenal enter this week with three defeats from four games, reducing their chances of winning the title from four to two. And after the shock defeat at home to Bournemouth, Arteta’s ability to calm his team down at the most crucial period of the season has been called into question.
But Arteta hit back again in the press conference room, admitting he was “on fire” ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP, which his side won 1-0 on aggregate.
Asked on Wednesday night what he wanted from his team, Arteta took a few seconds before replying: “No fear. Pure fire. That’s it.”
“That’s what I want to see in my players, people and myself: take every opportunity. It’s unbelievable.”
“We’re in April and we have an incredible opportunity. Let’s face it and go for it. I’m giving it my all.
“Fire! I am fire! That’s it. There’s nothing else. I’m so dreamy.
Mikel Arteta admits he’s on fire right now
“I’ve done a lot to get into this position because I know what this club has been like. I’ve done a lot for what I can only see as a beauty, an opportunity. I want the guys who have been on this journey with us to do it. They deserve it, it’s unbelievable.”
“I have no fear at all. When I feel fear, I don’t know what will happen to the club if we don’t achieve this. Now? It’s just purpose, passion and direction.”
Asked if he saw that in his players, Arteta said: “Yes, it’s a big deal.”
And when asked if this would be the biggest week of his Arsenal career, Arteta said: “It’s the biggest opportunity in six-and-a-half years, yes.”
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Arteta reacts to Man City fans’ ‘bottle’ moment
Arsenal have been accused of “failing” their Premier League title bid after missing out on a chance to take a 12-point lead over Manchester City on Saturday and with a game in hand, as Josep Guardiola’s side cut their lead to six points by beating Chelsea on Sunday.
A Manchester City fan drank an Arsenal ‘bottle’ in the away end, and Arteta was quick to react after the video went viral online.
“One fan?” Arteta replied. “One fan saying something, over 60,000 fans at Emirates, which is incredible? I’m not impressed by that.
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A Man City fan pretends to drink water from an Arsenal water bottle after Man City’s 3-0 win over Chelsea.
“I show (to the players) all the people and players who love the players, who are doing something unprecedented at this club.”
“What we are trying to accomplish will be difficult, challenging and bumpy at times. That’s the way it should be. We have to face it.”
Arteta defended Arsenal’s inconsistent recent form, admitting it would be difficult to get them over the line to win their first Premier League title in 22 years and progress to the final stages of the Champions League.
“We are trying to do something in this competition that has not been done in the history of the club, for 140 years,” the Arsenal manager said. “That speaks to the difficulty of it.
“This is the first time in our history that we have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League three years in a row.
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Gary Neville has suggested Mikel Arteta and his team need to normalize their preparations as much as possible ahead of their big title-clinching clash with rivals Manchester City.
“We really value where we are. We want to get into the semi-finals. We’ve been in a really strong position in the Premier League for 22 years without doing that. So we know how difficult it is. The beauty of it is that it’s difficult.”
“Never in our history have we been in this position in the Champions League. We have been around for 140 years and have overcome many hurdles that have never been achieved before.
“Certainly we have to be more ambitious than anyone else if we want to take the next step. We are doing that and we are very, very close.
“What I like about the situation I’m in now is that there’s no complacency. You’re not asking me any questions. Congratulations, you’re going to be in the Champions League next year.”
“Now we take it for granted. This club will take for granted the next 20 years to be competing for the title in April. It’s over. That’s great.”
“I really appreciate what the players have done so far.”
