Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, has issued a direct challenge to his title-contending squad, emphasizing the necessity for players to embrace the intense "noise" and "bullets" that accompany a Premier League title fight. He asserted that any player unable to withstand this pressure should consider joining an alternative club. This strong message comes as Arsenal prepares for a crucial North London derby against archrivals Tottenham on Sunday, with their championship aspirations hanging in the balance.

The directive follows a recent setback where Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Wolves, a result that, despite a largely impressive season keeping them at the top of the table, led to renewed accusations of being "bottlers." Arteta swiftly refuted these claims, even though the team has secured only two victories in their last seven league matches. Addressing the potential for external pressure to overwhelm his players, Arteta posed a direct question: "Do you want to be part of the noise? Or not? If not go and do something else. Be part of a different club or do you want to be Arsenal?"

Arteta reinforced his stance by reminding his team of the long-standing demand for Arsenal to return to title contention. "Everybody has been demanding for 10 years, 15 years that we need to go back there [fighting for the title] and now we are there, and now what? You don't want noise?" He stressed that both "noise" and "bullets" are integral components of the competitive environment, which the team must confront effectively to achieve their objectives. He highlighted the immediate goal: "At the end you have to win the next match and if you do that, you are going to be in a much stronger position and that is the only thing we can control."

Compounding Arsenal's challenges is the fitness of key player Martin Ødegaard. The Norway international has seen limited action, playing only 45 minutes across Arsenal's last five games due to injuries. While there's a possibility he could lead the team against Tottenham, his recent form has been a subject of debate, with only one goal scored this season and two in the league over the past year. Arteta acknowledged the impact of these injuries, stating, "The percentage of time he [Ødegaard] has been available for us has been far from ideal."

The manager expressed empathy for Ødegaard's struggles, noting that injuries are the "worst part of our profession." He praised the team's resilience in maintaining a high level of performance despite several important players being sidelined. This ongoing battle with injuries adds another layer of complexity to Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title, requiring both mental fortitude from the players and strategic management from Arteta.