Mikel Arteta vowed Arsenal would play the rest of the season with “courage and conviction” after their surprise defeat to Manchester United delayed their Premier League title bid.
Arsenal, who are still four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, host Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Wednesday, aiming to complete the competitive phase of the tournament with a perfect record.
The Gunners, who have made it seven of seven wins in Europe this season, have already secured a place in the last 16, meaning they can avoid a potentially tricky play-off next month.
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The North London club is also still alive in both domestic cup competitions.
Arsenal boss Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday about his team’s reaction to Sunday’s surprise 3-2 defeat to United – a first home defeat of the season.
“The response was excellent,” said the Spaniard. “We took a moment to turn the temperature down, pause, reflect and ask two questions.
«The first is: how do we feel and how do I feel? And how are we going to live in the next four months?»
“And it was so encouraging and beautiful because what came out of that is very simple: we earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions.”
Arsenal’s miscue against Michael Carrick’s resurgent United followed a 0-0 draw against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
But Arteta promised the Gunners would be fearless as they chase a first Premier League title since 2004.
“For the next four months we are going to live and play with joy, with great courage and with the belief that we will win,” he said.
“And this will be the mentality and what we will put the energy into. I just hope that everyone related to this club, especially our supporters, will jump on board.”
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are unavailable for Almaty due to “minor niggles”, while Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are suspended.
Published on January 27, 2026
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