Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team must earn the right to win the trophy in their match scheduled for Friday [1, 2].
The statement comes as the club faces intense scrutiny after failing to secure any silverware during the 2025/26 season [1]. With the title race reaching its climax, the outcome of the upcoming game will determine if the club can overcome a recent dip in momentum.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference at the Emirates Stadium in London, Arteta addressed the psychological state of his squad [1, 2]. He focused on the necessity of performance over expectation, and said, "We have to earn the right to win the trophy" [1].
The team is fighting to regain its standing after losing pole position [3]. This shift occurred following a 1-0 win by Manchester City against Burnley [3]. The result placed Arsenal in a precarious position as they entered the final stretch of the campaign.
Arteta dismissed suggestions that the team would falter under the pressure of the closing games. "We will not bottle the final games of the season," Arteta said [2].
Despite the confidence shown in the press room, the manager acknowledged the gravity of the current moment. He said that the stakes have never been higher for the club [1]. The match serves as a definitive test of whether the squad possesses the mental fortitude to secure a championship after a trophy-less year [1, 3].
Arteta's emphasis on earning the victory reflects a desire to move past the frustration of the 1-0 loss that impacted their league standing [3]. The manager said the team must prove they deserve the title through their actions on the pitch [1, 3].
“We have to earn the right to win the trophy.”
This situation highlights the volatile nature of the Premier League title race, where a single result—such as Manchester City's 1-0 win—can shift the psychological momentum. For Arteta, the focus on 'earning' the trophy is an attempt to shift the narrative from a potential collapse to a meritocratic struggle, aiming to motivate a squad that has struggled to translate dominant play into silverware over the last year.
