Trending 
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his squad to play with “pure fire” as they prepare for a high-stakes Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
Holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg, the Gunners are one step away from reaching the semi-finals for a second consecutive year.
However, the manager’s passionate rallying cry comes at a precarious moment, following three defeats in their last four matches that have led to critics questioning the team’s mental toughness.
The pressure on the north London side has intensified after a disappointing week that saw them exit both the League Cup and FA Cup, followed by a shocking Premier League loss to Bournemouth.
With a crucial title showdown against Manchester City looming this Sunday, Arteta was quick to dismiss claims that his players are “choking” under the weight of expectation.
He insisted that he feels “zero fear” and is instead driven by the historic opportunity to secure a first-ever Champions League trophy for the club.
Despite the nervous atmosphere among the fanbase, fuelled by memories of late-season collapses in 2023 and 2024, Arteta remains steadfast in his defence of the team’s progress.
He reminded his players that they are attempting to achieve a domestic and European double, a feat unprecedented in the club’s 140-year history.
For Arteta, the “bumpy” nature of the current campaign is a natural part of competing at the highest level, and he remains focused on rewarding the supporters for their journey.
