Mikel Arteta, head coach of Arsenal, has expressed “a lot” of confidence in the Gunners winning the Premier League 2025/26 and the Uefa Champions League 2025/26.
The Spaniard said, his side possesses the “capacity”, as well as, the “will to win” these trophies, adding, he is aware of the “opportunities” in front.
The former Everton midfielder also gave an update on his squad ahead of the top flight encounter against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, and, the final seven (7) games of the domestic season.
Arsenal will welcome AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium in a Premier League match at 12:30 (WAT) on Saturday 11 April, 2026.
Arteta revealed, winger Bukayo Saka, and, midfielder Martin Odegaard, will be available for the clash against the Cherries in North London, saying, “changes” have already been made.
Eberechi Eze will also be available for the home game, the Gunners boss said. The former Crystal Palace player has displayed the “will” to return to action “from day one”.
Arteta, whose side are nine (9) ahead of second-placed Manchester City, will be eyeing to go twelve (12) points atop the Premier League table after the match against Bournemouth.
On winning both the Premier League and Champions League, he said, Arsenal will “do our best to try and achieve it”.
Arteta extolled his fellow countryman, Andoni Iraola, head coach of AFC Bournemouth, saying, he has done “amazing” things with the Cherries. He added, Iraola’s side are “consistent” and have successfully “reinvented” themselves.
On the game against Bournemouth, Arteta said, every game at Emirates Stadium presents an “opportunity to maximize every result”.
Arsenal will be heading into the game against Bournemouth after suffering two (2) defeats back-to-back in the EFL Cup 2025/26 final against Manchester City (2-0), and in the FA Cup 2025/26 one-legged quarter finals to Southampton (2-1).
About his future at Emirates, Arteta said, he is “committed” and that, he and his family “feels good”. He added, he has “so much things” to achieve in the Club.
According to arsenal.com, at his pre-Bournemouth presser, Arteta said:
On whether Saka, Odegaard, Timber and Calafiori will be available…
“Yes, there have been changes since yesterday.”
On having Eze back in action…
“He is available. He has [been ahead of schedule], my first conversation with him after he felt a niggle, he wanted to be available the next week, we knew that was impossible. But the recovery, the will that he’s shown from day one to get back as quickly as possible, how he’s pushed the medical staff and himself to be there tomorrow, it’s just great to watch.”
On how he has encouraged the players after two consecutive losses…
“I think it’s a balance, as I said the other day, it’s better to observe first, you know, to see the natural reaction, to see what we are made of.
“But to be fair, they didn’t need much because their reaction was top. The understanding of why we lost those matches, and how we are going to pull it right, and I think it was a really good reaction against Sporting.”
On how big the opportunity to go 12 points clear is…
“But to be fair, they didn’t need much because their reaction was top. The understanding of why we lost those matches, and how we are going to pull it right, and I think it was a really good reaction against Sporting…let’s go all together for it because it has to be a big day.”
On his belief in his players winning the Premier League and Champions League…
“A lot, because I see them every single day and first of all, the capacity that we have as a club and as a team, the will to win, and we recognise the opportunity ahead. We’re going to do our best to try and achieve it.”
On fielding against fellow Spaniard, Andoni Iraola…
“Yes, it’s amazing what he has done together with the club. The consistency that they’ve shown, the manner that they’ve done it and the amount of players they’ve sold – how they’ve then reinvented themselves.”
On what’s challenging about the game against Bournemouth…
“I don’t know, but I think for every game we have to be there. We know the meaning of every match here and the opportunity that we have, especially when we play at home. We need to maximise every result.”
Photo: Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta
