UCL 2025-26: Arteta urges Arsenal to play with ‘pure fire’ against Sporting after damaging defeats Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.
But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.
“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.
READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash
“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”
Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.
But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.
Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.
The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.
It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.
There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.
“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.
“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”
‘Doing something incredible’
Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.
If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.
Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.
“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.
“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.
“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.
“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”
Published on Apr 14, 2026
#UCL #Arteta #urges #Arsenal #play #pure #fire #Sporting #damaging #defeats
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.
But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.
“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.
READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash
“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”
Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.
But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.
Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.
The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.
It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.
There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.
“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.
“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”
‘Doing something incredible’
Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.
If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.
Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.
“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.
“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.
“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.
“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”
Published on Apr 14, 2026
![Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28347673.jpg "Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State")
![Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State](https://i0.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28347673.jpg?ssl=1 "Deadspin | High scorer Liv McGill transferring from Florida to Oklahoma State Florida guard Liv McGill (23) shoots past Mississippi forward Christeen Iwuala (12) during the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game at Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, February 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Former Florida guard Liv McGill, one of the most highly-touted players in the women’s college basketball transfer portal, committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. McGill put up 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game in 31 starts for the Gators in her sophomore season. She played an SEC-best 37.2 minutes per game, also averaging 5.3 turnovers. McGill was a first-team All-SEC selection. In 68 career games (all starts) over two seasons, she has put up 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. CBS Sports rated McGill the No. 2 overall player in the portal, behind only Iowa State star Audi Crooks. ESPN rated McGill No. 4. “Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said in a statement. “She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim. Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor. “… She is a leader and I believe she has the talent and heart to take our program to heights it has not reached before.” Oklahoma State went 24-10 last season and lost to eventual champion UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Florida, 18-15 a year ago, did not make the NCAA Tournament in McGill’s two seasons. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #High #scorer #Liv #McGill #transferring #Florida #Oklahoma #State")
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