London: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called for perspective as his side prepare for a crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP following back-to-back defeats.
The Gunners head into the first leg in Lisbon after losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and suffering a damaging FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton.
The results have raised concerns about momentum at a key stage of the season, despite Arsenal holding a nine-point lead in the Premier League and remaining in multiple competitions.
Arteta urged his players to use the disappointment as motivation rather than panic. “Have some perspective about how difficult it is what we have done until now. Feel the pain, feel the emotion and use it to be better and improve,” the Spaniard said.
Arsenal’s mentality is under scrutiny after three successive second-place finishes in recent league campaigns, but the North London side have shown consistency this season, with only five defeats across competitions. Arteta insisted his team clearly understood the reasons behind the loss to Southampton and remained “hungrier than ever” ahead of the European tie.
Injury concerns, however, complicate Arsenal’s preparations. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are unavailable, while defender Gabriel Magalhães suffered a knee issue in the Southampton match. Captain Martin Ødegaard is still building match fitness after injury and was substituted after an hour at the weekend.
Sporting head coach Rui Borges warned that Arsenal’s recent defeats could make them more dangerous. “They will be like a wounded beast… more focused and willing to show their capacity,” Borges said, while stressing his own side’s ambition to achieve something historic.
Sporting have never reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, adding further stakes to the encounter. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya said the team would channel frustration into performance, calling the clash “the most important game” as the Gunners look to steady their season and keep their trophy hopes alive.
Source: BBC Sports
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