William Saliba sends Arsenal team-mates title message in stark contrast to Man City moans

William Saliba confessed his legs were tired and he craved a bath and a massage after an exacting win at Wolves.

But the muscular French defender revealed the real race for a first title in two decades is all about the mental fight as Arsenal approach a defining week in their search for Premier League glory.

Mikel Arteta's stars had to dig deep into reserves of grit and determination to secure a vital win at Molineux while Manchester City were teeing up another trophy at Wembley in the FA Cup. And after a week to forget in the wake of a damaging defeat against Aston Villa and a Champions League exit at Bayern Munich, Arsenal’s resilience and sheer will to win dragged them back to the top of the table.

But with Chelsea the visitors to the Emirates on Tuesday and the North London derby at Tottenham on Sunday there’s no let up.

Saliba said: “I’m a little bit tired, but now we have to play with our head as well. We have to push in our last five games and will rest after.

“Of course the schedule is brutal yes, but that is football you don’t have a choice. You have to play, it’s a high level but that’s it.

“I need a bath and massage! We do our best, but it’s more mentally I think because our legs are tired but that’s okay, it’s football. We have to play with our head and that’s it.

“Of course we have some good experience from last season and this one as well. It can be up and down quickly so we are well prepared. That’s why it’s more mental. We have to push and give everything we have. It’s a very big week against Chelsea and Tottenham and I hope we will win.”

Saliba admitted failure wasn’t an option against a depleted but gallant Wolves team. Gary O’Neill’s stars kept going until an injury time goal, squeezed home by skipper Martin