Mikel Arteta plots Arsenal mental reset as 'new league' gets underway with title dream at stake | OneFootball

Gunners have been their own worst enemy at times but must play like champions after losing top spot

If Mikel Arteta's words are to be taken at face value, Arsenal have just completed the most gruelling pre-season of all time.

For more than eight months the Gunners have been preparing for this "new league", as Arteta has put it, only now getting themselves into the starter blocks.

A five-match sprint to the Premier League finish line is in front of them. Win out from here and there is every chance the title will be theirs.

Mikel Arteta has been clear in his messaging to the Arsenal squad

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Asked about that mental reset, one encouraged by describing this evening's match with Newcastle as "game one", Arteta said: "It's a reality.

Although Arsenal have been on a poor run, and defeat to Manchester City last weekend was a painful blow, there is justifiable optimism heading into the clash with Newcastle in north London.

Despite losing at the Etihad, a more ambitious attacking formula was deployed, aided by Arteta finally having Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze together.

Play like they did last weekend and Arsenal are capable of winning five in a row, particularly with another imminent boost on the injury front.

Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the squad against Newcastle for the first time since the Carabao Cup final last month.

Arsenal have won just one of the five matches they have played without Saka since then and with no wingers in any sort of form, Arteta must be tempted to throw him straight into the starting lineup.

Bukayo Saka has returned at the perfect time for Arsenal

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Either way, Saka's availability will add to the good-feeling among the Arsenal fans inside the Emirates Stadium. Arteta must set his team up in a way that maintains that.

That is not to suggest Arsenal should dismiss the threat Newcastle present. Any goal-difference discussions are secondary to the need to just pick up three points.

That outcome should not be taken for granted considering Arsenal's poor form, even if Newcastle are struggling themselves.

However, excluding stoppage-time, Arsenal have been in front for a total of just 55 minutes across their last nine matches in all competitions. The win over Bayer Leverkusen was responsible for 54 of those.

It is the time of the season when nerves are at peak levels, both on the pitch and in the stands. Arsenal's recent habit of starting slowly and getting locked in cagey encounters has only exacerbated that.

Arsenal need to play like they believe they are the best team in the country. The weight of being chased at the top of the table appeared to hang heavy but the tag of league leaders has now gone.

Arsenal’s big names must play like champions to get title over the line

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With the attack now effectively at full-strength, the shackles need to come off. That means starting the match with the intention of troubling Newcastle rather than being more concerned with the danger coming back the other way.

Scoring the first goal, as Arsenal have done all too rarely in the last six weeks, is key to taking some of the stress out of the situation.

Arsenal have the players available for a more expansive gameplan and if Arteta's message has got through, they should have the mindset to seize this challenge.

Stumble against Newcastle, though, and there will be no more resets, no positive angles to find.

Arsenal must prove this really is a clean slate and play with the freedom that brings. If not, the new league will be over almost immediately.