Premier League 2025-2026: Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘write their own destiny’ after title wobble

Mikel Arteta challenged a sputtering Arsenal to start writing their “own destiny” in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham after losing control of the Premier League title race.

Arteta’s side had a commanding lead in their bid to win a first English title since 2004, but the leaders have allowed second-placed Manchester City to close to within five points of first.

City, who play Newcastle on Saturday, have a game in hand against Arsenal and will have a crucial match against the Gunners in April.

If Pep Guardiola’s team wins their remaining 12 games, they will clinch the title, regardless of Arsenal’s results in the last 11 games.

It’s a painful scenario for Arteta, who presided over Arsenal’s inflated lead in City’s title races in 2023 and 2024.

The Gunners have finished second in the last three seasons and their latest untimely stumble has raised sharp questions about their ability to cope with the pressure of the title race.

But Arteta is confident his players can handle the pressure as long as they seize the opportunity to make history.

«What I have seen is another great reaction. When you lose points with the last kick of the game, in an unpredictable way, no one can really understand that. But this is football,» he told reporters on Friday.

«Life goes on, there’s nothing we can do. It’s what happens next that matters.»

«That was a chapter. In chapter 27 we go against Wolves. The next one is about how we write our own future in the future.»

Arsenal have lost their lead in their last two games with a 1-1 draw against Brentford and a 2-2 draw against Wolves at the bottom of the table.

It was especially painful not to beat Wolves after taking a two-goal lead, with a mix-up between goalkeeper David Raya and defender Gabriel Magalhaes leading to Tom Edozie’s equalizer in stoppage time.

«The immediate reaction is harsh. It was a shock to the system. We wanted to win, but we couldn’t, and we have to move on,» Arteta said.

«But we have clear instructions. We have to live in the present. The present is beautiful; we are exactly where we want to be in every competition.»

Arsenal have won just two of their last seven league games, but troubled Tottenham are in even worse form, with no wins in their previous eight top-flight games.

Tottenham are just five points above the relegation zone and interim boss Igor Tudor will take charge for the first time following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 in November, but Arteta is wary of a team with a new manager.

“I think it’s happened to us seven times this season,” he said.

“We will have the ability to adapt, but the main focus is on what we need to do to win.

«It’s the match we have now and we can’t wait to play. We have to show up on Sunday.»

Published on February 20, 2026