Arteta calls for focus on the West Ham game as Arsenal chase the Premier League title

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must refocus on Sunday’s ‘big’ Premier League match against West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their last three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham seems to be their toughest task yet.

Arteta’s men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the second time in their history on Tuesday with victory over Atletico Madrid, but Arteta insisted there was little time to look ahead to the showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

“Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we have shown all season, or more,” the Arsenal boss said, referring to his message to his players.

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“We are getting closer and everything we do will matter.”

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one more game than Pep Guardiola’s men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge implications for Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham.

Tottenham are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid defeat.

“Understanding the playing conditions for both clubs is of course extremely important,” Arteta said. “We know its importance, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the match.”

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber will remain out and face a race against time to appear in the Champions League final on May 30.

“There is still a lot to do,” he said. “Everything has to go so smoothly and quickly if they want to have a chance to play minutes.”

Published on May 8, 2026