Mikel Arteta repeats Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola message with passionate Arsenal plea

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has sent a message to his supporters ahead of a busy schedule, including this evening's Premier League clash against West Ham United. The Gunners currently sit second in the table, two points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have played one game more than their title rivals.

That means that the north Londoners can go top of the pile if they defeat West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening, a match that will see former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka return to his old stomping ground. Ahead of kickoff, Arteta has urged the home crowd to be ready to back their team, asking them to get it 'rocking'.

When asked what message he would give fans ahead of his side's upcoming three fixtures, all of which are London derbies, Arteta said: «First of all thank you to them for what they have done throughout the year and how they have supported and inspired the team. For tomorrow (Thursday), go to that stadium, get it rocking and get the team inspired again.

»The team is going to try to do everything that we can to get them out of their seats. It’s going to be the last game of the year in front of them, so let’s make it beautiful."

The Spaniard's plea is somewhat similar to recent comments from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City. «I thought in the first half when the boys played really exceptionally, I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me,» Klopp said after the Reds defeated West Ham United 5-1 in the Carabao Cup last week.

“I asked people what do they want? We changed a lot of things and we dominated West Ham like crazy and missed chances. If I was in the stands I would be on my toes, 1,000 per cent. I don’t know, if the Man United game was that bad