Mikel Arteta has ‘zero fear’ of Arsenal collapse as he urges his players to seize ‘incredible opportunity’
Arsenal’s season is in danger of falling apart after three consecutive domestic losses
A defiant Mikel Arteta has declared himself "on fire" and holding "zero fear" as he launched a passionate defence of his Arsenal side, whose season teeters on the brink of a devastating collapse. The Gunners ’ campaign faces a critical juncture after a third consecutive domestic defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday opened the Premier League title door for Manchester City , whom they are set to face in a pivotal match this weekend. Before their crucial encounter with their title rivals, Arsenal will host Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Emirates, guarding a slender one-goal lead from last week’s fixture.
The club has finished league runners-up for the past three seasons and has not secured a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup – the sole silverware of Arteta’s six-and-a-half-year tenure. This history has fostered a growing sense of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fanbase. However, in a bid to calm supporters, Arteta insisted: "There is no fear.
Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one.
Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself. Fire!