Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to embrace the noise and pressure of the decisive weeks in both the Premier League and the Champions League, saying a victory over Fulham would put the club very close to their first top‑flight title in 22 years. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports.
A win on Saturday could see Arsenal move six points clear of Manchester City, although City begin a run of two games in hand at Everton on Monday. Arsenal led by nine points earlier in the season, but a dip in form in April has turned the race into a much tighter contest.
Facing continued suggestions that the team is “bottling” another title after three successive second‑place finishes, Arteta told his squad he wants them to enjoy the challenge. He argued that anyone who aspires to win major trophies must accept setbacks and criticism as part of the process, learn from them and keep competing at the highest level.
On handling outside pressure, Arteta said he listens to criticism only when it comes from people who genuinely want the best for the team. Constructive critique, he explained, can be valuable and toughen players and staff; negative commentary with no positive intent is not worth attention.
Arteta singled out the Fulham trip as especially important, insisting that victory would bring Arsenal “very, very close” to the title. With the race so fine, it could ultimately be decided on goal difference if both clubs keep winning their remaining fixtures.
Reflecting on recent fixtures, he described the season’s run‑in as a series of smaller races: the Newcastle game marked the first, and Fulham represents the next crucial stage — win it and the team will be firmly in contention.
Watch Arsenal vs Fulham live on Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football from 5pm, kick‑off 5.30pm.