Arsenal’s loss on Sunday marked the end of their reign as Premier League title favorites, but Mikel Arteta believes that this setback presents an opportunity for his team to prove their character.
“If we were playing in any other league, we would be ahead by six or eight points,” Arteta said. “But it doesn’t matter how many points we’re behind now – the true test will come when we face our toughest challenges.”
The Gunners had a three-match winless streak over the Christmas holiday, but bounced back with an impressive run of 10 wins and one draw from January 20 to April 6. However, Arteta knows that the real challenge lies ahead.
“Those were easy times,” he acknowledged. “Now we need to show our strength and resilience in the face of setbacks.”
Arteta urged his players to focus on the present rather than worrying about what other top teams are doing in the league. He emphasized that their ability to respond after setbacks will determine their success in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Looking ahead to their upcoming UCL quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich, Arteta expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome challenges and maintain their winning mentality. He urged his players to stand up and be counted, emphasizing that resilience is key to achieving their goals.
