Arteta tells Arsenal fans: “Jump on that boat”

• Mikel Arteta says Arsenal held a squad meeting to “bring the temperature down” after the 3-2 loss to Manchester United
• He says Arsenal have “earned the right” to be chasing four competitions, and wants the club to attack the next four months with belief
• Arteta urged supporters to “jump on that boat” and promised the run-in will be “fun” with “beautiful” things ahead

Mikel Arteta says he called a meeting with his Arsenal players after Sunday’s 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United to calm the mood and reset the group for the run-in, while asking supporters to fully buy into what he believes can still be a season of trophies.

The defeat was Arsenal’s first at home in the league this season and only their third Premier League loss after 23 matches. They remain four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, but are winless in their last three league games following draws with Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

Arteta said the meeting was about taking a breath before focusing forward.

“We took a moment to bring the temperature down, to pause and to reflect and ask two questions: one is, how do we feel, and how do I feel myself? And then, how are we going to live the next four months?

“And it was so encouraging and beautiful because what came out of that is very simple.”

Arteta was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League home match against Kairat. Arsenal have won all seven of their group phase games, while Kairat sit bottom of the table.

With Arsenal still in contention across competitions, Arteta said the squad has earned the chance to attack the final stretch with confidence.

“We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions, and in the next four months we’re going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we’re going to win it.

“And this is going to be the mindset and where we’re going to put the energy. And I’m just hoping that everybody that is related to this club, especially our supporters, jump on that boat because this is the way that we’re going to live the next four months because we deserve to live like this.”

Arteta said he holds squad meetings “every three or four weeks”, and explained that this one was to help players “realise where we are” and to “just make sure that we enjoy with a lot of conviction that it’s going to happen because it’s our moment and we really want it”.

Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for the past three seasons, and have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, Arteta’s first season in charge. There were boos from some fans at full-time against United, and he addressed the tension directly.

“That’s why I encouraged them to jump in this boat because it’s going to be fun,” Arteta said.

“Because out of that a lot of incredible things are going to emerge. Some of the things that we cannot even imagine. For me that’s the only way to live it because we’re going to give absolutely everything.”