Arsenal are just days away from sealing Champions League football for next season. They require only six points from their last three Premier League games to do so. Manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of using the frustration from their recent 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth to fuel their performance in the upcoming second leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
In their opening leg, Arsenal were left disappointed at The Emirates, losing 1-0 to PSG. Arsenal head-coach Mikel Arteta is preparing for the pivotal tie on Wednesday. He thinks that only a good result will do to start the ball rolling his way. Mattox noted that, despite their shortcomings, the team has remained tough competitors throughout the season. Nonetheless, they have yet to secure a place in next term’s Champions League.
Injury Concerns Surround Timber
While Mikel Arteta was optimistic about Jurrien Timber, don’t count your chickens just yet. The defender missed Saturday’s match against Bournemouth due to injury. Timber, who looked great initially before being withdrawn late in the first leg against PSG, led to fears that he would be absent for the all-important second leg.
“Confident? At the moment, no, because he wasn’t able to play here and we play in four days,” Arteta said when asked about Timber’s potential return. Timber’s absence would be a monumental loss for Arsenal sitting second in the Premier League and trying to close the gap on PSG to take their chance at a Champions League spot.
Focus on Upcoming Challenges
With that loss now behind them, Arsenal is focused on maintaining a top four position on the table and qualifying for next year’s Champions League. Arteta was particularly adamant that mathematically, the side had not yet deserved that privilege. “Mathematically we are not qualified for next season’s Champions League,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of performing well in their remaining matches.
Arteta challenged his squad to use their anger and disappointment from the Bournemouth loss. He called on them to direct that passion into their training, and then to a “huge performance in Paris.” A win over PSG would hugely boost their confidence and optimism ahead of a final appearance. Furthermore, it would raise their confidence levels immeasurably as they pursue Premier League glory.
Key Performances and Outlook
In a silver lining from the Bournemouth match, Declan Rice marked his 100th appearance for Arsenal with a well-taken goal. This performance is indicative of the talent within the squad, which Arteta hopes can be utilized effectively in their upcoming challenges.
As Arsenal prepare for what will be an important week, Arteta focuses on getting his players mentally and physically prepared. He is deeply committed to making them shine. “A positive result would really help us to build what we wanted towards Wednesday,” he noted, underscoring his commitment to achieving their goals.
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