Premier League: Arteta calls on Arsenal to concentrate on upcoming West Ham matchup

Arsenal's focus must now shift to their upcoming Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday, according to Mikel Arteta, following the team's emotional high of securing a spot in the Champions League final.

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The Gunners are on the cusp of claiming their first English championship title in 22 years, with three league games remaining, and a win in their next match would be a crucial step towards achieving this goal.

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A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham is likely to be Arsenal's most challenging task, with subsequent matches against relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace, who will be preparing for the Conference League final, expected to be less daunting.

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Arteta's team made history by reaching the Champions League final for only the second time, defeating Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the manager emphasized that there is little time to dwell on this achievement with the final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest looming.

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Arteta urged his players to "stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," as the team navigates the final stretch of the season.

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The Arsenal boss also noted that "we are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter" as the team strives to maintain their position at the top of the table.

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Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City, although they have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's team, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

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The outcome of the match at the London Stadium could also have significant implications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham, who are barely clinging to a spot above the relegation zone, just one point ahead of 18th-place West Ham.

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Arteta acknowledged the high stakes, stating "understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," and emphasized that his team is aware of what they need to do to emerge victorious.

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The manager also provided an update on the status of injured players Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber, who are facing a tight deadline to recover in time for the Champions League final on May 30.

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Arteta cautioned that "there's a fair bit to do" for the injured duo to have any chance of participating in the final, noting that "everything has to be so smooth and quick" for them to have a chance to play.