'No fear, pure fire' - Arteta defiant on pivotal week

'No fear, pure fire' - Arteta defiant on pivotal weekImage source, Getty ImagesByEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalistPublished5 minutes ago3 CommentsArsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants his side to play with "pure fire" as they prepare for one of their biggest weeks in years.The Gunners host Sporting on Wednesday, having won 1-0 in Lisbon last week, for a place in a Champions League semi-final.That was the only victory for the Premier League leaders in their past four games, having lost in all three domestic competitions.On Sunday they visit Manchester City, their closest challengers in the title race.Having last won a trophy in 2020 with the FA Cup during Arteta's first season in charge and not been league champions for 22 years, the pressure has intensified on Arsenal to deliver success the club and fans have craved.In the pre-match news conference before the second leg against Sporting, Arteta was asked if he had a message for the players and supporters. "No fear, pure fire. That's it," he said."Pure fire, that's what I want to see from the players, the people, myself. The opportunity is unbelievable."Let's confront it, let's go for it and put everything into it."Arteta continued that theme when asked about any nerves."Fire. I'm on fire. That's it. Nothing else," he added. "I'm driven so much. I have done so much to be in this position. I know how this club was. This is beauty. "I see beauty and opportunity. I want to get it done for all the people on the journey with us. That's what has driven me every day. Zero fear."In their worrying recent run, the Gunners were beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final, and at home by Bournemouth in the league on Saturday.From hope of an unprecedented Quadruple, the defeats have taken their trophy chances down from four to two, while their lead at the top...