Mikel Arteta delivered a stirring message to his Arsenal squad ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP, demanding fearlessness and intensity from everyone at the club.
When asked what he expects from his players at the Emirates, the Spaniard paused before responding: "No fear. Pure fire. That's it."
"That's what I want to see from the players, the people and myself. Go for every opportunity. It's unbelievable," Arteta declared.
The Arsenal manager made clear his own emotional state, exclaiming: "Fire! I'm on fire! That's it. Nothing else. I'm dreaming so much."
Mikel Arteta went on an animated rant in his press conference
|SKY SPORTS
Arsenal enter this crucial week having suffered three losses in their previous four fixtures, a run that has seen their trophy ambitions reduced from four competitions to two.
The unexpected home defeat to Bournemouth prompted questions about Arteta's capacity to maintain composure within his squad during the campaign's decisive phase.
Yet the 44-year-old acknowledged the magnitude of what lies ahead, confirming this represents "the biggest opportunity of six and a half years" at the helm.
When pressed on whether his players share his burning determination, Arteta was emphatic: "Yes. Big time."
The Gunners hold a slender 1-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg in Lisbon.
Arteta confronted accusations that his side are "bottling" the title race with characteristic defiance, dismissing a viral clip showing a Manchester City supporter drinking from an Arsenal-branded bottle during their victory over Chelsea.
🗣️ ''Fire. I'm on fire. I'm dreaming so much, I have done so much to be in this position.''
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 14, 2026
Mikel Arteta on the emotions he's feeling ahead of Arsenal's quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP. pic.twitter.com/yZbZrewNRq
"One fan?" he responded. "One fan that says something, over 60,000 fans that are incredible at the Emirates? I don't get moved by that."
The manager revealed he shows his squad the overwhelming support they receive rather than dwelling on criticism.
"I show [my players] all the people and players that love these players for what they're doing which is unprecedented in this club," Arteta explained.
Arsenal's hopes of a first Premier League title since 2004 are hanging by a thread | GETTYArsenal's pursuit of domestic glory would end a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown, while reaching consecutive Champions League semi-finals would be unprecedented in the club's 140-year history.
"We are trying to do something, in this competition, that hasn't been done in the history of the club," Arteta noted, highlighting this as the first time Arsenal have reached three successive quarter-finals in Europe's elite tournament.
Sunday's trip to the Etihad Stadium looms as a potential title decider, with City having trimmed the Gunners' lead to six points whilst holding a game in hand.
"What we are trying to achieve, it's difficult, challenging, bumpy at times. It's supposed to be like this. You have to confront it," Arteta insisted.