Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is calling on his players to focus on the present moment as they prepare to face local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial Premier League title showdown.
Arsenal saw their title hopes take a hit after dropping points against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving the gap between themselves and second-placed Manchester City at five points with a game in hand.
Arteta’s side have won just one of their last four league games on the road, and two in their last seven.
Arteta is adamant that his players must learn from their recent mistakes and move forward. “We have a very clear instruction for ourselves, we have to live in the present,” he said. “What we did in the past is great, but we have to be in the present and it is beautiful.”
Arsenal could be boosted by the return of forward Kai Havertz and playmaker Martin Odegaard for the North London Derby. Arteta is confident that his team will be ready to take on Tottenham’s new manager, Igor Tudor.
A chance to quickly turn the page. pic.twitter.com/eSAlG3OKFI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 19, 2026
Arteta has analyzed Tudor’s tactics and is prepared for the challenge. “We have analyzed everything that he has done in his career, different clubs, different formations, and the players Tottenham have available,” he said.
“We need to go through the pain and go through it looking in the mirror and understand what the game requires now,” he said.
Ahead of the Tottenham game, Arteta is confident that his team can regain momentum and stay ahead in the title race. “We’d all love to play the game today to get that feeling we have in our tummies and use it in the right way,” he said.
