Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to become the team's 'magic 12th man' as they prepare to face Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, with the Premier League title within touching distance. The Gunners are two matches away from their first league crown in 22 years and host an already-relegated Burnley before their season finale at Crystal Palace.
A victory for Arsenal would pile pressure on Manchester City, who play a day later at Bournemouth. If Arsenal win and City lose, the Gunners would be crowned champions 24 hours later. Thousands of supporters are expected to welcome the team coaches, creating a febrile atmosphere similar to that before the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Arteta said: 'They are our 12th man and the magic player. When the stadium provides that level of energy, passion and optimism, they play every single action with the team. The value of that is just infinite, you cannot measure it and the team becomes different.'
The Spaniard has worked hard to transform the Emirates into a hostile venue for opponents, recalling his experience as a Manchester City coach before his appointment at Arsenal. 'That image, that feeling of the stadium, the crowd, 50% of the stadium was empty. It really got into me. I said with this, there is no project, this is not going to work,' he said.
Arteta acknowledged the nerves that come with a prolonged title drought but expressed optimism. 'When you haven't won for that long, it's going to be edgy, and there's going to be those moments of doubt. I'm very glad that we've turned that point, and we are very optimistic, but being very, very present as well.'
