Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has challenged his players to embrace the pressure of being in the Premier League title race or consider leaving the club.
Arteta issued the stern warning ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Naija News reports that the Gunners head into the encounter sitting two points ahead of Manchester City, although they have played one game more than the defending champions.
With Arsenal firmly in contention for their first league title in years, Arteta insisted that pressure and external criticism are inevitable.
He urged his players to decide whether they truly want to compete at the highest level.
“You ask them the question: ‘Do you want to be part of the noise, or not?’” Arteta told reporters.
“If not, go and do something else. Be part of a different club, or do you want to be at Arsenal?”
The Spaniard stressed that expectations at the Emirates have been building for over a decade, with supporters longing for a return to genuine title contention.
Arteta noted that the club’s current position is exactly what fans have demanded for years.
“Everybody has been demanding for 10 years, 15 years, that we need to go back there (fighting for the title), and now we are there, and now what?” he said.
“You don’t want noise? Noise is part of it, and the bullets are part of that, and we try to deal with them in the right way and achieve what we are looking for.”
Naija News reports that Sunday’s showdown against Tottenham adds another layer of intensity, with local pride and league standings both at stake.
A victory would strengthen Arsenal’s grip at the summit, while any slip could hand momentum to Manchester City as the title race enters a decisive phase.
