Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains determined to push for victory in every game, despite their Premier League title hopes fading, as they shift focus to their Champions League campaign.
Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal now sit 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool, extending their winless run in domestic competition to three matches.
This setback is particularly disappointing for the Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up to Manchester City in the past two seasons.
However, their European ambitions remain alive, with Arsenal holding a commanding 7-1 aggregate lead over PSV Eindhoven after last week’s first-leg triumph in the Netherlands.
They now prepare to host the Dutch side at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, looking to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta reaffirmed his squad’s commitment to competing at the highest level.
“We are going to carry on fighting to win every game,” the Spanish coach stated. “There are the demands we put on ourselves in every competition. We are very much conscious that the demands for this football club are to reach the highest level and to win football matches.
“There’s always improvement. We have talked about what we can do better, it’s about execution. My job is to give the players as many tools so we can deliver again.”
Despite injuries to key forwards Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, Arsenal showcased their attacking depth in their dominant win over PSV, with six different players getting on the scoresheet.
If they complete the job on Wednesday, they will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the next round.
Arteta acknowledged the importance of the competition, emphasizing Arsenal’s hunger to make a deep run.
“It’s a competition that we have a lot of enthusiasm for. We have been very consistent and tomorrow can put us in an exciting position,” he said.
French defender William Saliba also echoed the team’s ambitions, stating that Arsenal are determined to end their four-year wait for a major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.
“I think we are very close, we need to keep going,” Saliba said. “We can’t stop working. When you’re close and don’t win trophies it’s sad. With work we will make a big step and I am sure we will arrive there.
“Everyone wants to win the Champions League, it’s a competition that’s hard to win, anything can happen.”
