For the first time this season, Arsenal have lost two games in a row. Just when the final sprint begins in the Premier League and the Champions League. But Gunners coach Mikel Arteta does not want to panic.
The Gunners caught up by their old demons? No, Arsenal are “hungrier than ever” before the Champions League quarter-leg against Sporting Portugal, coach Mikel Arteta said on Monday, who called on his players to “use” the two recent defeats as an additional source of motivation.
The London club lost the League Cup final against Manchester City before the break, then was eliminated from the FA Cup on Saturday in the quarterfinals by a second division team, Southampton.
“Feel the pain and use it to become better”
You have to “feel the pain and use it to become better”, Arteta declared in a match eve conference from Lisbon, before describing the state of mind of his group, “hungrier than ever, very excited and very motivated”. “There will be discussions about these two defeats, but we must see it as an opportunity to show what team we are and what we want. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is a huge meeting, we know it will be difficult, but this team is ready for anything,” also assured its goalkeeper, David Raya. For Arteta, we must take up the Portuguese challenge “with enthusiasm, (…) having a very, very clear vision of what has brought us to where we are today”.
Arsenal have lost two games in a row for the first time this season, having conceded just three defeats in the previous 49 matches. This stoppage has fueled debates in England on the supposed fragility of the Gunners at a time when the titles are being played out.
“I think what needs to be done is clear: instead of panicking, understand why it happened and bring clarity. Once you analyze that and accept it, you need to become better, that’s all. That’s what we need to do,” Arteta said.
The coach confirmed the withdrawal of defender Jurriën Timber and winger Bukayo Saka. On the other hand, he will be able to count on Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, back in the group, and on defender Gabriel, who left injured on Saturday at Southampton.
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