Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to show resilience and character as they attempt to bounce back from consecutive defeats in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Gatekeepers News reports that Arsenal head into the encounter reeling from a shock 2-1 loss to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, coming just two weeks after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final.
Those results ended the Gunners’ hopes of an unprecedented quadruple and marked their first back-to-back defeats this season, triggering concern among supporters.
The north London club have not lifted a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, while three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League have intensified scrutiny over their ability to secure major silverware.
Despite the pressure, Arteta remains confident his side can rise to the occasion as they pursue a maiden Champions League title and a first league crown in 22 years.
“In the season, you always have moments, normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have with a certain level of difficulty,” Arteta said.
“We’re going to say difficulty when we’re going to play the Champions League quarter-finals and the run-up for the league.
“If this is a difficult period, I believe there are many other ones that are much more difficult, so let’s stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we’ve been doing all season.”
‘Beautiful period’
Arsenal travel to Lisbon as favourites, holding a nine-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and maintaining strong prospects in Europe.
Arteta voiced strong support for his squad despite recent setbacks.
“I love my players. What they have done for nine months, I’m not going to criticise them because we lost a game in the manner that they are putting their bodies through everything,” he said.
“I’m going to defend them more than ever. Someone has to take responsibility. That’s me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.”
Arsenal will also draw confidence from their 5-1 victory over Sporting in last season’s Champions League group stage, when Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres was still with the Portuguese side.
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal last year, has recently found form, scoring against Southampton and netting twice in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur. He also scored Sweden’s decisive play-off goal against Poland national football team to secure World Cup qualification.
However, Arsenal’s ambitions could be hampered by injuries, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka racing to be fit after missing the Southampton defeat and England’s recent friendlies. Defender Gabriel Magalhaes is also a doubt after suffering a knee injury in that match.
Midfielder Christian Norgaard urged the team to stay positive as they navigate a crucial phase of the season.
“The message is to have a positive body language, to talk with your team-mates, with the coaching staff. Now is not the time to go with our heads down for too long,” Norgaard said.
“It’s fine to be frustrated and also to analyse what went wrong, but then we also have to look forward because there are so many big games coming up for this club.”
