Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his players to maintain their hunger for success during the crucial three weeks ahead, as they could secure the club’s first Premier League title since 2003-2004 and lift the Champions League for the first time.
Arteta’s side reached the Champions League final after defeating Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. They also hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with three games remaining, though second-placed Manchester City have a match in hand.
Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham United, Arteta delivered a message to both his players and the Arsenal supporters.
“Stay in the present. Live the moment. Prepare for the match and show the same level of energy, hunger, and desire we’ve shown all season—or even more. We are getting closer, and everything we do will be decisive,” the manager said on Friday.
With the Champions League final against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain scheduled for May 30, Arteta has called for full focus on West Ham, who sit 18th and are battling to avoid relegation.
“We will have time to prepare and face the final, but right now all attention, maximum detail, and all energy must be on West Ham. We’ve made that very clear,” Arteta stated.
“After the match against Atletico, I was in a very high emotional state. We know what it means for everyone. But believe me, immediately after that, my concentration, energy, and focus were on West Ham—what we need to do mentally, physically, tactically, and technically to prepare in the best way possible and go there to win.”
West Ham, who are one point from the safety zone, have not lost at home in the league since January. They have drawn with Manchester United and Manchester City, and beaten Everton.
“Understanding the context of the match for both clubs is fundamental. We know how important it is, we know what we want and what we have to do to win,” Arteta added.