Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal supporters to be the club's '12th man' and 'magic player' as they close in on a first Premier League title in 22 years. The Gunners host relegated Burnley on Monday night, knowing victory would put them within touching distance of the trophy ahead of Manchester City's match at Bournemouth.
Arteta's Rallying Cry
The Arsenal boss emphasised the importance of the Emirates crowd, stating: '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.' He added: 'When we have the ball, when the opponent has the ball, in every element, they live the game like that. The value of that is just infinite. I think you cannot measure it and the team becomes different.'
Fans are organising a 'greet the bus' procession before the match to boost the atmosphere, which has been tense during the title run-in. Arteta believes the supporters have made all the difference.
Past Experiences Shape Arteta's View
Arteta, who played for Arsenal during difficult times under Arsene Wenger, recalled seeing half-empty seats at the Emirates when he was Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City. That image stuck with him. 'It was the first thing because a few days before I was appointed here I was on the other bench with Man City and that image, that feeling of the stadium, the crowd ... 50% of the stadium was empty,' he said.
'It really got into me. I said: 'with this, there is no project, there is nothing that we're not going to do. This is not going to work.' Unfortunately it got worse very quickly because then COVID hit and then instead of 50% we have zero. So you make the job even harder.'
Arteta added: 'So after that we had to rebuild everything. But when it's harder at the beginning, then it's better. So to see that transformation and that joy in the people, it's something that is beautiful to watch.'
Arsenal could be crowned champions in midweek if results go their way, and Arteta is determined to repay the fans' faith with trophies.
