Mikel Arteta of Arsenal emphasizes composure before Sporting quarterfinal match.
Mikel Arteta has encouraged Arsenal’s players to remain calm as they seek to realign their season against Sporting Lisbon.
The Gunners approach Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal, first leg, following consecutive defeats that have raised new concerns about their capacity to secure trophies.
Before the international break, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 loss in the Carabao Cup Final to Manchester City and were subsequently eliminated from the FA Cup by Championship team Southampton.
Although they have yet to claim the Champions League title, they currently enjoy a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they strive to end a 22-year drought in that competition.
When asked if he needed to prevent any sense of panic from infiltrating his squad, Arteta responded: “I believe it is essential to be clear. Rather than panicking, it is important to understand why [losing games] occurs and to bring clarity. Once you analyze and accept that, you will improve. That’s the key, and that is what we must focus on.
“Maintain perspective on how challenging our achievements have been thus far. Then, embrace that pain, feel that emotion, and utilize it to enhance our performance. We were very clear about what transpired, the reasons behind it; after reviewing the match twice, we felt we did not deserve to lose, but this is football, and we face consequences related to our identity.
“That is what we need to defend with the utmost strength because it is the reason we are where we are today.
“Thus, we are hungrier than ever, very eager, and extremely motivated for tomorrow’s match.”
Arteta confirmed that Gabriel MagalhΓ£es, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard would all be available for the match against Sporting, but Bukayo Saka and JurriΓ«n Timber did not travel with the squad and remain in London, hoping to participate in Saturday’s league fixture at home against Bournemouth.
Prior to their departure for Lisbon, Arsenal’s training session earlier on Monday included an unusual exercise where players in groups of four balanced a ball between their heads while moving across the pitch. They also completed another task where players held pens between each other’s fingertips while collectively moving with a ball.
“A training session must incorporate various elements and relate to the messages we convey and the commitments we have made to one another,” Arteta stated when asked about these drills.
“I strive to embed all those messages and commitments as much as possible in as many situations as possible, and training was one of those opportunities.”
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Viktor GyΓΆkeres returns to his former club following a β¬63 million ($74m) summer transfer from Sporting, having recently propelled Sweden to this summer’s World Cup finals.
“Those are experiences that you carry with you, I would say,” Arteta remarked.
“And it doesn’t get much better than securing your country’s place in a World Cup with a goal you scored. So that memory remains, and it will be part of his career, just like all the moments he creates for us.
“That is the narrative he is building, and hopefully, tomorrow he will showcase another impressive aspect of his abilities.”
GyΓΆkeres netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting but pushed for a transfer to Arsenal, which may result in a mixed reception upon his return to Estadio Jose Alvalade.
However, Arteta stated: “I believe he is very excited. He expresses deep gratitude for his time here. The way he speaks about the club, the players, the staff, and everyone associated with the club reflects that. The experience he had and how significant that part of his journey at Sporting has been.
“And now he is with Arsenal, competing in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, a level he has never played at before in this competition.”
