Mikel Arteta Urges Arsenal To ‘Embrace That Moment” Ahead Of Premier League Decider

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 fails to beat West Ham United on the season’s final day. “That’s the only thing we can do, focus on our game,” Arteta exclusively told TNT Sports.

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 perfect moment and are a tough 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 or three years. 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.

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 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.”

*TNT