Mikel Arteta has played down fears that Arsenal could end the season without a trophy, saying he has “zero fear” of that outcome, even as injury concerns continue to build around his squad.
The Arsenal manager’s comments come ahead of Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League tie against Sporting, a match that arrives at a difficult moment for the club. Arsenal have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, a run that includes Saturday’s damaging home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
That setback left Arsenal exposed in the title race and opened the door to their rivals, including Manchester City, as the season enters a decisive stage.
There is also uncertainty over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, with Arteta admitting there are major doubts about when the winger will return from an achilles injury. Saka’s availability has become one of the biggest concerns for Arsenal as they try to manage a packed run of fixtures and keep their campaign alive on multiple fronts.
Another potential blow is the condition of Declan Rice, who faces a late fitness test before the Sporting match. The midfielder’s status adds to a growing list of selection questions for Arteta as he prepares his side for a crucial European night.
Arsenal’s recent form has made the coming days particularly important. A poor result against Sporting would deepen the pressure on a team already trying to recover from domestic disappointment. The club’s league defeat to Bournemouth was especially costly, given the wider implications for the title race and the sense that momentum has started to slip at exactly the wrong time.
Even so, Arteta’s public message was one of defiance rather than alarm. His insistence that he has “zero fear” over the possibility of ending the season without silverware suggests he remains confident in the squad’s ability to respond, despite the injuries and recent defeats.
The challenge for Arsenal is now twofold: navigate the Sporting tie and stop the downward trend in results. With Saka still sidelined and Rice under assessment, Arteta may have to lean on squad depth at a point in the season when mistakes carry greater weight.
Wednesday’s match will therefore be about more than simply progressing in the Champions League. It is also an opportunity for Arsenal to steady themselves after a difficult spell and show they can cope with the growing pressure around their season.
For now, however, the outlook remains clouded by fitness doubts. Saka’s recovery timeline is unclear, Rice is not yet certain to feature, and Arsenal head into one of their most important fixtures of the campaign carrying more questions than answers.
