Arteta urges Arsenal to refocus on Premier League title push as Fulham visit Emirates

Key facts

• Arsenal lead the Premier League by three points, but Manchester City have a game in hand.
• Arsenal host Fulham at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, April 27, 2025.
• Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
• Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber are ruled out for the Fulham match due to injury.
• Fulham sit 10th with 48 points, two points behind sixth-placed Brighton.
• Arsenal are seeking their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 'Invincibles' season.
• Arteta confirmed Havertz could return for the Champions League second leg against Atletico.

Arsenal three up at half-time against Fulham

Arsenal raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time in their Premier League clash against Fulham at Emirates Stadium, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice and Bukayo Saka also on the scoresheet. Myles Lewis-Skelly made his first start in midfield for the Gunners, as Mikel Arteta's side dominated the opening 45 minutes. Rob Green, former Premier League goalkeeper, described Arsenal as being "in full flow" as they broke from the halfway line. Leandro Trossard delivered a chipped pass to Gyokeres, who "did brilliantly to get the header on target" for a "really good finish in a really good half," Green added.

Arteta demands focus and hunger ahead of title run-in

Speaking before the match, Arteta urged his players to refocus on the Premier League title push after Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. "Focus on Fulham. And hunger. Hunger to play, hunger to compete, hunger to win, hunger to be closer to achieve our dream," the Spanish coach told reporters on Friday. Arteta emphasised the stakes: "We are playing to win the Premier League. It's exactly where we wanted to be. Four games to go. It's game two. Ready to go." He added that the squad has "enough fuel in the tank" and that the disappointment of the midweek result should only strengthen their resolve.

Havertz and Timber ruled out, but Havertz could return for Atletico

Arteta confirmed that Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber will miss the Fulham clash. Havertz has been sidelined since picking up an injury against Newcastle United last weekend, while Timber has been out since March. "He's (Havertz) been a huge miss. We're talking about one of the most important attacking players that we have and he's been out for seven or eight months," Arteta said. The manager added that Havertz could be available for the second leg against Atletico Madrid: "He cannot do this game but hopefully for Atletico he will be available. He is pushing every boundary to achieve that." Arteta also noted that he would assess the squad after training on Saturday morning, as the team had not been able to train much following the midweek match.

Title race tightens as Manchester City lurk with game in hand

Arsenal's pursuit of a first Premier League title in more than two decades has entered a tense final stretch. The gap between leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City is three points, with City having a game in hand. Pep Guardiola's side have been applying pressure by stringing together a sequence of late-season victories. Arteta acknowledged the intensity of the run-in: "We have only four games to play now and everything is at stake, so it doesn't get better than that." He also addressed the need to manage emotions, saying, "It's a lot of factors, that's something that emotionally, for sure, we have to manage in the right way. But I would put the emphasis more on showing that desire, that determination, that hunger, that will that we've shown all season and even more."

Fulham's European hopes hang in balance

Fulham sit 10th in the Premier League table with 48 points, two points behind sixth-placed Brighton, one behind Bournemouth, and level with Chelsea and Brentford. The battle for European competition is intensifying, and a result against Arsenal could prove crucial for Marco Silva's side. However, Arsenal's dominant first-half performance suggests Fulham face an uphill task at the Emirates. Arteta's side have shown they can produce devastating attacking football, and with the title race so tight, every goal and every point matters.

Arteta calls on supporters to bring energy and passion

Arteta sent a message to Arsenal supporters ahead of the match: "Let's keep doing what we've done all season and bring that energy, that passion and together we're going to make it happen." The manager also hinted at a siege mentality within the squad, saying, "We certainly have that, and we need to face any context, any situation to achieve our goal. What happened the other night was extremely disappointing, and we need to make it happen at home now." With four league games remaining and a Champions League semi-final second leg to come, Arsenal's season hangs in the balance. The next few days could define Arteta's tenure and determine whether the Gunners can end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

The bottom line

• Arsenal lead the Premier League by three points but Manchester City have a game in hand, making every remaining match critical.
• Arteta has ruled out Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for the Fulham match, but Havertz could return for the Champions League second leg.
• Arsenal's 3-0 half-time lead against Fulham demonstrates their attacking prowess and hunger for the title.
• Fulham are battling for European qualification, sitting 10th but only two points off sixth place.
• Arteta is fostering a siege mentality after the disappointing draw with Atletico Madrid, urging players and fans to channel that into the title run-in.
• The next four Premier League games will determine whether Arsenal can end their 21-year title drought.