Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, spoke candidly after his team lost at home to Bournemouth in the latest English Premier League match.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of the "Gunners" Arsenal, admitted it felt like a hard punch to the face after they lost 1-2 at home to Bournemouth in the recent Premier League match. However, he decided to motivate his players to keep fighting, especially for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Sporting Lisbon coming this Wednesday.
Arteta said, "The result is very disappointing. We played far below the standard we've shown throughout the season. It felt like a heavy punch to the face because we really wanted to win this game, and we couldn't handle the situation not going our way."
"In the second half, you expect a different game, but we did many strange things today. Previously, we had been very consistent, but things like this can happen. That's football."
"The players must feel the pain deeply. It has to hurt. They have to accept it. You either get up and fight or fall again."
"This is a very important week. There are many things at stake. We are still in a good position in both competitions."
"We must give credit to them (Bournemouth) for what they did and their efficiency in taking the chances they created."
"But at the same time, we have to look at ourselves, which is the most important thing. After being punched, it depends on how we respond. There is no time to protect anything anymore. It's time to attack and play aggressively."
Arsenal will face Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Emirates Stadium this coming Wednesday, with Arteta urging his players to rise up.
"We have the chance to reach the Champions League semifinals, and that's what we must focus on now. We have to get through this tough time and use it to our advantage."
"What we definitely need is for every player to be ready and fully fit, in the best condition. We must achieve this as soon as possible because it will be very beneficial. We have to overcome today's pain, and tomorrow is a new day."