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Arsenal are in FA Cup action this weekend but fresh off the back of losing out in the Carabao Cup final, Mikel Arteta is looking for his side to bounce back.
The Gunners were soundly beaten by Man City at Wembley but now the focus is on the other three trophies available, starting with the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s players know the time has come to deliver and according to Arteta, that’s very much been the message since Wembley.
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Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill – AMA/Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/George Wood/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC Mikel Arteta’s message to his Arsenal players ahead of Southampton
After the debacle of the international break with so many injuries, Arsenal and Arteta will be keen to simply get back to playing football.
That starts with facing Southampton and according to Arteta, he’s had chats with the players about their mindset after the EFL Cup final loss.
“When you didn’t manage to win that final I think what you have to take on board is how this is going to make us stronger for the final push of the season,” Arteta explained.
“That has been the mindset, that has been all the work that we have done in the last few days to use that as fuel, as tools to be able to get the final push that we want and achieve what we want.”
Asked if he could sense a feeling within the group that they wanted to use the experience to improve, Arteta admitted it was immediately the case.
“Yes, immediately I could sense that and the way we look at ourselves and the things that we could have done better and how the game can shift at that level from the first and second half,” the boss continued.
“That’s something that we need to manage better and again this is going to make us better I’m sure and we have to use it for the most important and beautiful part of the season.”
Southampton clash has more meaning after cup final defeat
Had Arsenal won the cup final, then this game with Southampton might have had something of a carnival feel to it, with the pressure off.
Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
However, with the defeat in the bag, it’s now imperative Arsenal get through and respond in the best way.
Anything other than a comfortable win here will not be good for confidence, while a defeat would be a disaster in terms of the mental state within the squad and fanbase.
The Gunners have simply got to get back into their flow as quickly as possible. In fact, it would be no surprise to see Mikel Arteta go with the strongest XI he can.
From here on in, it’s all about momentum and playing into form. There can be no more slips and if there are, that simply breeds confidence at Man City.
This game now feels much bigger than a few weeks ago and it’s one Arsenal have to be fully invested in.
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