Mikel Arteta exclusive: Arsenal must ‘embrace that moment’ ahead of Premier League title decider - ‘Use all the energy’
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Published 17/05/2024 at 20:30 GMT
Mikel Arteta has told his team to "embrace that moment" when they face Everton on Sunday, with the chance to bring the Premier League title back to North London for the first time since 2004. The Gunners can win the league if Manchester City fail to beat West Ham United on the final day of the season. “That’s the only thing we can do, focus on our game,” Arteta exclusively told TNT Sports.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must “embrace that moment” when they host Everton on Sunday with the chance to end their 20-year wait for a Premier League trophy.
As the title race edges towards a dramatic finish, Manchester City lead The Gunners by two points at the top of the table with one game left to play.
Arsenal must beat Everton at Emirates Stadium to have any chance of winning the league, while hoping West Ham United can upset the odds against Pep Guardiola’s side in Manchester.
Asked how Arsenal will approach the game, Gunners boss Arteta said that his players must “use all the energy” in the stadium as they look to end their barren run for a top-flight crown.
“That’s the only thing we can do, focus on our game,” Arteta told TNT Sports ahead of the decisive Everton clash, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
“In the difficult challenge in Everton, they’re in a really good moment and are a really difficult opposition to play against.
“Do our things, embrace that moment, use all the energy that is going to be in that stadium and leave the day in the way that we have to leave it.
“And then hope West Ham are going to be very aligned with us and are going to help us to achieve our dream.”
There is hope out there for Arsenal players and fans alike as they approach this weekend’s showdown, with the title odds stacked in Man City’s favour.
No matter the result on Sunday, Arteta will look at the outcome positively as Arsenal continue to progress under his stewardship.
“I believe a lot in those things, and in journeys, and that things happen for a reason,” Arteta added. “We don’t know what the outcome is going to be but for whatever reason it is going to be for a reason.
“I don’t know if we’re going to find out on Sunday, in three months’ time or in three years’ time. But it will happen for a reason.”
Arsenal have surpassed expectations by going toe-to-toe with Man City for two consecutive seasons, which Arteta described as “fascinating”.
He added: “To be in the position we are in, in the final game of the season, in front of our crowd, with the Premier League [trophy] there waiting for us.
“This is beautiful, they’re the moments you want to live.”
Arteta re-joined Arsenal from Man City in December 2019 to take on his first managerial job, and after a difficult start which included back-to-back eighth-placed finishes, he has the team challenging for major titles for the first time in years.
The Spaniard has been a revelation in North London and is now considered one of the best managers in Europe, despite his short time on the touchline.
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‘We have to be optimistic’ - Arteta has confidence in Arsenal going into final day of season
He delivered an FA Cup in his first season, brought UEFA Champions League football back to Emirates Stadium for the first time in seven years and now has the club on the verge of a Premier League title. But he hopes his best moments as Arsenal boss are to come.
“The best one is hopefully going to be on Sunday,” he said.
“And then during that journey all the way to Sunday, stepping into that stadium with that feeling and with that energy with our people that have been incredible for us.
“Living that moment together, hopefully, the outcome will be unbelievable.”
How to watch Arsenal v Everton
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Arsenal v Everton will be live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 15:00 UK time on Sunday, May 19 ahead of kick-off at 16:00.
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