‘Now’s Not The Time To Feel Sorry For Ourselves,’ Says Defiant Arteta

By The Editor
on 21st October 2024

Mikel Arteta looking for a reaction…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta warned his team that now is not the time to feel sorry for themselves after succumbing to our first Premier League defeat on the road this calendar year.

William Saliba’s sending off against Bournemouth inside the first 30 minutes put the Gunners on the back foot and while we’ve got away with playing with 10 men on two occasions this term, it wasn’t the case this time.

Two goals from set-pieces saw Adoni Iraola’s men record only their second Premier League win against Arsenal and leave us trailing the league leaders by four points.

With our next league fixture coming against Arne Slot’s men at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as we look to close the gap back to one point, Arteta understands the importance of moving on.

The Spaniard believes that it’s hard to analyse the game with so many mitigating circumstances and prefers to nip that in the bud and focus on the next game.

“Well, again, using the pain we are feeling at the moment for Tuesday, that’s the best way to do it,” Arteta told the press.

“Not feeling sorry for ourselves, how it happened again three times in eight matches and we are missing our captain and one of our best players and Jurrien and this and that.

“That’s not going to take us anywhere – leave the energy, these boys deserve it because the way they try and want it, we go again on Tuesday,” he added.

Two crucial home games beckon as we look to take a huge step towards qualifying for the last-16 of the Champions League directly from the league phase before high-flying Liverpool visit N5.

It’s only October, but Sunday’s game is crucial for our title chances as we look to stick with the pack during this difficult part of our Premier League schedule.