Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: ‘the secret is probably the unity and togetherness’

MIKEL Arteta has urged his players to enjoy the last 10 Premier League games of the season and the challenge that comes with them, as Arsenal look to secure their first title in almost a decade.

The Gunners could find themselves 11 points clear by the time they take on Leeds United at the Emirates tomorrow (Saturday) with title rivals Manchester City facing a tough home game against Liverpool in the early kick-off.

A City win would pile the pressure back on Arteta’s side: but either way the Arsenal boss is encouraging his squad to relish the opportunity that lies ahead of them.

“We cannot control the outcome of other clubs, all we can control is what we do every single day,” Arteta told the club’s official website. “How we behave, how we train, how we communicate, how we control our energy and the messages we send to our people.

“Now it has to be about enjoying the last part of the season, with enthusiasm, energy and a real hunger to continue to do what we’ve done, and if possible better.

“I think we have really good people, and we have really good players. They are curious all the time to improve, learn and be better.

“It is a joy to work with this group. They really follow us and want to please everybody. They love what they do, love living with each ­other and playing for each other. I think you can sense that.”

Reflecting on the season so far, Arteta highlighted the “unity and togetherness” that has been forged within his young squad as the standout reason Arsenal are sitting on the summit – that, and the new signings who have since arrived in north London.

He added: “I really liked what I saw on the first day back from holiday: people were hungry. I think the signings that we made were a big impact on the team by generating belief, and taking the ability and leadership of the team to a different level.

“Then it was about trying to build that up every single day to a level where you start to believe that you can be at the top and that you can sustain it.

“We also have the right level of competition and cooperation because they really want to help each other, but they have to challenge each other as well to benefit the team and lift the standards to where we want.

“The secret is probably the unity and togetherness that they have between them – they love to spend time with each other, play with each other and they love to play in front of our people.

“They really have that sense of belonging to the club, and I think that’s very powerful.”