Mikel Arteta has no concerns about Arsenal ending the season without a trophy
JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta insists there is no fear of Arsenal ending the season without a trophy and says he is excited by the prospect of winning the title.
The Gunners' campaign is faltering at a crucial moment after losing three of their last four games in all competitions, including defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City before being knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton.
A 1-2 home defeat to Bournemouth last weekend in the English League left them just six points ahead of Manchester City, who have one game in hand and will host Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Prior to that, The Gunners will face Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal on Thursday, April 16, 2026, early morning WIB, at the Emirates with a 1-0 lead from last week's first leg in Lisbon.
Ahead of a potentially defining week for Arsenal's season, Arteta launched a fiery rallying cry as he seeks to capitalise on the biggest moment of his six years at the club to date.
Asked about his main emotion amid the increasing questions about Arsenal's ability to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and the Champions League for the first time in history, Arteta immediately gave a fiery statement.
"Membara. I'm very excited. That's all. Nothing else. I'm very dreamy. I've done a lot to be in this position because I know how this club used to be."
"I've done a lot of things against all odds so I just see beauty, opportunities, and I want to make it real for everyone who has been on this journey with us because they deserve it. They are amazing."
"I'm not afraid at all. The fear I have is if we don't finish this. This club, I don't know what will happen. Now, there is no fear, only goals, passion, and the belief that we will do it," said Arteta.
Arsenal were booed by their supporters against Bournemouth when the frustration of the home crowd was audible. Arteta has a similar message for supporters ahead of the Sporting visit.
"Without fear, burning passion, that's all. I'm the first. Burning passion. That's what I want to see. The players, the people, and myself."
"That's it, grab it because this opportunity is extraordinary. We are in April, we have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us. Let's face it, let's grab it by really putting everything into it."
"What we are trying to achieve is difficult, challenging, sometimes winding and that's the way it should be. Guys, we are trying to do something in this tournament that has never been done in the history of the club."
"So, it shows the difficulty. What are you doing, this could be the first time (being in the Champions League semi-final in a row). For other clubs, it's a daily meal. For us, not. "
"So, we really appreciate our current position. We have the opportunity to advance to the semifinals, we are competing to win the English League."
"We are in a very strong position after 22 years without winning it. So we know the difficulty, but the beauty is that it is difficult, it is challenging, and that is why we are so excited to do it," said Arteta.
Meanwhile, Arteta was reluctant to provide information regarding the availability of several key players including Declan Rice, who missed training on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, along with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.