Mikel Arteta Calls on Arsenal’s ‘Magic 12th Man’ Ahead of Crucial Burnley Clash

• Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters to help push the team closer to the Premier League title.
• The Gunners could move within one win of becoming champions with victory over Burnley.
• Arteta praised the transformation of the Emirates atmosphere since taking charge of the club.

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal supporters to become the club’s “magic 12th man” as the Gunners prepare for one of the biggest nights of their Premier League title challenge against Burnley on Monday.

Arsenal are now just two matches away from potentially winning their first league title in 22 years and know victory at the Emirates Stadium would heap enormous pressure on Manchester City heading into the final week of the campaign.

If Arsenal defeat already-relegated Burnley and City lose away to Bournemouth 24 hours later, Arteta’s side would officially be crowned Premier League champions.

The atmosphere around the Emirates is expected to be electric, with thousands of supporters once again planning to welcome the team coaches before kickoff — scenes similar to those witnessed ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semifinal victory over Atlético Madrid.

Arteta believes the emotional connection between the players and supporters could prove decisive during the final stretch of the title race.

“They are our 12th man and the magic player,” Arteta said ahead of the match.

“When the stadium provides that level of energy, passion and optimism, they play every single action with the team.”

“When we have the ball, when the opponent has the ball, in every element, they live the game like that. The value of that is just infinite, you cannot measure it and the team becomes different. It is as simple as that.”

The Arsenal manager has frequently spoken about rebuilding the atmosphere at the Emirates since taking charge of the club, revealing how concerned he was by the environment he experienced before becoming manager.

Arteta recalled visiting the stadium with Manchester City shortly before his appointment and feeling the club lacked energy and unity.

“It was the first thing I wanted to change,” he explained.

“A few days before I was appointed here, I was on the other bench with Man City and that image, that feeling of the stadium, the crowd, 50 percent of the stadium was empty. It really got into me.”

“I said: ‘With this, there is no project, this is not going to work.’”

The challenge became even greater shortly afterwards when the COVID-19 pandemic forced matches behind closed doors, but Arteta believes those difficult moments ultimately strengthened the club’s identity.

“After that we had to rebuild everything,” he said.

“But when it’s harder at the beginning, then it’s better. So, to see that transformation and that joy on the people, it’s something that is beautiful to watch.”

Arsenal’s supporters have increasingly embraced the title challenge in recent weeks after months of tension and nervousness around the stadium during the closing stages of the campaign.

The growing belief inside the Emirates has mirrored the team’s impressive performances, with Arsenal continuing to balance their domestic title pursuit alongside a run to the Champions League final.

“When you haven’t won for that long, it’s going to be edgy, and there’s going to be those moments of doubt,” Arteta admitted.

“And I’m very glad that we’ve turned that point, and we are very optimistic, but being very, very present as well.”

Now, with the finish line approaching, Arsenal know another victory could leave them on the verge of one of the most significant achievements in the club’s modern history.