Mikel Arteta likes to think outside the box when motivating his Arsenal players, but there is no need for that now.
The title run-in begins in earnest on Saturday, when Arsenal host Leeds in the first of their final 10 games. The Gunners are top of the table and eight points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, but that lead could be cut to five by the time they kick-off at 3pm, as Pep Guardiola’s side host Liverpool in the day’s early game.
Arteta is calling these matches during the run-in “cup finals”, urging the squad to count them down as they go, and senior players are doing the same. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, signed in the summer from City, boast eight Premier League titles between them and Arteta is starting to see them make the impact he always thought they would have.
“I really liked what I saw on the first day back from holiday [in the summer]; people were hungry,” said the manager. “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.”
Arteta would have been praying his players returned from the international break unscathed and his wish has been granted. Midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to be fit to start after missing Ghana’s draw with Angola on Monday, but Arsenal will have to cope without William Saliba.
The centre-back is struggling due to a back injury and missed training on Thursday, with Rob Holding expected to start in his place. Holding had just 17 minutes of Premier League football this season before playing the full match against Crystal Palace two weeks ago. The 27-year-old, who was also filling in for Saliba that day, performed well and looked settled in the heart of the back four.
Holding is incredibly popular at the club and part of the leadership group. When new players arrive it is often Holding who takes them under his wing, offering to show them around London or advise them on places to live. He is also the dressing room DJ, a role he has had for a number of seasons, and he organises the pre-match playlist and supplies the portable sound system.
Holding has played a vital role off the pitch this season and now he is ready to have an impact on it. He has a track record of delivering when called upon, doing so against Palace two weeks ago and in the 2017 and 2020 FA Cup finals, too. It is unclear how many games Holding will have to play in the run-in, with the length of Saliba’s absence unknown.
The game against Leeds, however, looks like an ideal one to continue to ease Holding into the team ahead of tougher tests. Javi Gracia’s side are 14th in the League, just two points above the relegation places. The Gunners face a trip to Anfield next week and must also travel to the Etihad and St James’ Park. A home clash with Chelsea is also one of their “cup finals”.
If the rest of the season is anything to go by, it promises to be full of drama — but Arteta has urged his squad to enjoy the ride. One of his motivational techniques has been giving them books to read in the hope the tales inspires them. On Saturday, Arsenal begin the final chapter of their campaign. Arteta will be hoping this is one story that has a happy ending.
