A win would put Arsenal six points clear before City face Everton on Monday night. The title race, effectively level after Manchester City cut a 10-point deficit to nothing with a run of form, has now come down to the final four games of the season — and Arteta is framing Saturday as the moment to reassert control.
"Hunger. Hunger to win. That's it. To compete, to prepare and to achieve the goal that we set at the start of the season."
The shadow of Wednesday's match in Madrid loomed over the press conference. Three penalty decisions caused widespread controversy and Arteta said he was still furious in the immediate aftermath. Two days on, he is channelling that emotion rather than dwelling on it.
"Focus on Fulham and hunger. We're playing to win the Premier League. It's exactly what we want it to be. Four games to go, this game too."
On whether the sense of injustice in Madrid can be used as fuel, he was direct.
"Maybe, but I think we have enough fuel in the tank."
Havertz's absence is a significant blow. The German has missed seven or eight months of the season through injury, and Arteta was unequivocal about his importance.
"He's been a huge miss. We're talking about one of the most important attacking players that we have. The team has shown an incredible capacity to overcome these kinds of scenarios and still be very competitive."
There is hope Havertz will be available for the second leg against Atletico on Tuesday, with Arteta confirming the forward is pushing hard to be fit.
Declan Rice drew extensive praise after his performance in Madrid, where Arteta deployed him in a deeper role than usual. The question of whether Rice deserves to be in the player of the season conversation prompted a pointed response.
"To play the amount of games, minutes, with the quality that he's shown in every game is something extremely difficult to do. And he's doing it not only this season but the last few seasons that he's been with us. To show that level of consistency is extremely rare because the demands and the standards are very, very high."
Arteta also spoke warmly about Eberechi Eze, who joined on loan from Crystal Palace in January and has brought a particular quality to the group.
"He has a unique way of expressing himself. What he actually transmits to the world outside is such a security and calmness and composure in every situation on the field. I think we need players like that, we need players that can have a different kind of presence on the pitch and body language. And Ebs brings something else that I think is unique and very powerful for the team."
On the pressure of the occasion and the Emirates crowd, Arteta was clear about what he needs from the supporters.
"Let's keep doing what we did all season and bring that energy, that passion and together we're going to make it happen."
Fulham arrive at the Emirates in 10th place having beaten Aston Villa last weekend and two points off sixth. Their head coach Marco Silva received an endorsement from Arteta.
"In my opinion, he's one of the best managers in the league. The way he sets up his team and what he's done for the club, it's incredible so we know how tough it's going to be tomorrow."
Arsenal have won 44 of their 66 previous meetings with Fulham and have not lost any of their last 32 league home games against them.