Arteta wants his squad to ‘feel that pain’ after recent results ahead of Sporting Lisbon clash
· Yahoo Sports
Mikel Arteta has called for “perspective” from his Arsenal side following their result against Southampton, ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Sporting CP at the Estádio José Alvalade.
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The Gunners come into the match off the back of a difficult weekend, having been knocked out of the FA Cup, but Arteta is keen to ensure the setback does not derail their momentum.
“Some perspective – how difficult it is, what we’ve done up to now,” he said. “Feel that pain, feel that emotion, and use it to be better and to improve.
“We were very clear on what happened and the reasons why. At times in the game, we didn’t deserve that outcome, but this is football, and we get punished for things related to our identity. That’s the thing we need to defend in the strongest possible way, because that’s the reason we are where we are today.”
Arteta confirmed several key players are fit ahead of the trip to Lisbon, including Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.
However, Jurriën Timber and Bukayo Saka have not travelled and are not yet ready, with Arteta hopeful they could return at the weekend.
The match will also see Viktor Gyökeres face his former club, and Arteta believes the striker is relishing the occasion.
“I think he’s very excited. He’s full of gratitude for his time there,” Arteta said.
“The way he talks about the club, the players, the staff – everybody around it – shows how important that part of his journey at Sporting has been.
“Now he’s at Arsenal, and you can imagine what it means to him.”