Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal players to overcome New Year struggles and chase Premier League glory in North London

Mikel Arteta has issued a rallying cry to his Arsenal squad: it’s time to smash the so-called New Year curse and claim the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years.

Historically, Arsenal has struggled to convert a strong start to a calendar year into silverware.

Five times before—in 2003, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2023—the Gunners led the league at the start of the year but ultimately fell short.

The exception was the famous “Invincibles” season of 2003-04, when they went the whole campaign unbeaten.

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This year, though, the mood is a little different.

Arsenal entered 2026 sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City dropped points against Sunderland on Thursday.

After last season’s heartbreak, when City overtook them with six games remaining despite 248 days in first place, the Gunners are determined not to repeat history.

When asked about the team’s historical New Year struggles, Arteta didn’t shy away.

“Let’s break it,” he said simply. “That’s what they transmit every single day when they’re with us—training, in every match.

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You can see their desire, their energy, how much they want it. That’s what we need.

There are still five months to go, so we take it day by day and enjoy the process of being where we are, and then we go for it.”

Injury Worries for Declan Rice

Arsenal’s momentum faces a potential hurdle with Declan Rice nursing a knee injury ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

Rice picked up the problem during the 2-1 victory over Brighton and, while he traveled with the squad for the midweek 4-1 rout of Aston Villa, he wasn’t included on the bench.

Arteta provided an update on Rice’s condition: “Well, not yet.

The swelling hasn’t gone down. We have another session today, and we’ll see how he’s feeling.

It was too early for him in that last game.”

When pressed on whether Rice should have been substituted against Brighton, Arteta explained, “No, no.

He managed it. That’s normal sometimes. You get a hit, and during the game, adrenaline and being warmed up can carry you through.

The body reacts, and sometimes it reacts more than you expect. That’s where we are.”

Looking Ahead

With the title race wide open and just over half a season to go, Arteta and his squad know the stakes are high.

Arsenal fans will be hoping their team can finally convert this promising start into a long-awaited Premier League triumph, while also navigating fitness challenges like Rice’s knee issue.