Arteta rallies Arsenal for huge Premier League weekend
The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City , who have a game in hand, at the top of the table and need three wins from their remaining three fixtures to claim a first league title in 22 years. On Tuesday, they also reached their first Champions League final for 20 years with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid, and will face Paris St-Germain in Budapest on 30 May. "We are closer and closer and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not," said Arteta on Friday.
"Stay present, live the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we have showed all season or more. " Has Rodri absence cost Man City? Or is his importance overstated?
Arsenal take on relegation-threatened West Ham at London Stadium in the league on Sunday, Burnley at home on 18 May and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of the season, 24 May. While the mood at the training ground is understandably high after their semi-final triumph this week, Arteta said his side's "energy and detail" is solely focused on picking up three points against the Hammers, who are 18th, one point and one place from safety behind Tottenham . He also acknowledged the reaction - good and bad - to the club's celebrations following the Atletico game.
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney said the scenes at Emirates Stadium were "a little bit too much", but ex- Arsenal striker Ian Wright insisted the "fun police" should not stop players and supporters from enjoying the achievement. Manchester City , who defeated the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final in March, face Brentford at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, followed by Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa , with the FA Cup final against Chelsea in the middle of those fixtures. City fought their way back into contention for a potential seventh league trophy under Pep Guardiola with an 11-game unbeaten run, claiming a 2-1 victory over the Gunners along the way.
But a 3-3 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday meant they uncharacteristically stumbled in the title race. City were leading 1-0 when they conceded three goals within 13 minutes in the second half. Jeremy Doku's stunning strike - his second of the game - rescued a much-needed point for Guardiola side.