William Saliba has urged Arsenal to stay calm in the title race, insisting the team must focus on winning their remaining games.
William Saliba has called on Arsenal to stay calm and focused as the Premier League title race enters its decisive stage.
Speaking in an interview with Arsenal’s official website, the defender said the squad cannot afford to become distracted by the pressure around them after a difficult spell of results. Manchester City have now moved ahead in the table, leaving Arsenal needing a response as they try to keep their title challenge alive.
“We need to stay calm,” Saliba said. “We know it’s not easy, but we have to keep going.”
That message is important for Arsenal after a run that has changed the shape of the title race. Mikel Arteta’s side had been setting the pace for much of the season, but recent defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City have left them chasing again rather than controlling the picture.
Saliba’s focus, though, was on Arsenal’s own reaction. He said the players still believe in what they are doing and must concentrate on the matches ahead rather than the noise around the table.
“We have to be together,” he said. “There are still games to play and we have to give everything until the end.”
Arsenal’s next challenge comes in the form of Newcastle, tomorrow at the Emirates, a fixture that already looked demanding before the wider title context was added. Arteta’s side will need a clearer, more controlled performance than they have produced in some recent league games.
Saliba’s comments also reflect his position within the squad. The France international has been one of Arsenal’s most reliable players this season and remains central to the defensive structure that has carried them through difficult moments. When he speaks about calm, it comes from one of the players Arsenal need most in this final run.
There is also the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid to consider next week, meaning Arsenal are trying to manage pressure on two fronts. That makes Saliba’s message about composure more relevant, with the squad needing to avoid allowing one setback to affect the next competition or the next fixture.
The defender was clear that Arsenal cannot spend too long looking back. The title race has tightened, and the margins are now small, but Saliba’s view is that the response has to come through the work already being done inside the group.
“We have to keep working,” he said. “We have to stay focused and try to win every game.”
That is now the task facing Arsenal. The situation has become more difficult, but Saliba’s message was straightforward: stay calm, stay together and keep pushing.