Arsenal are currently second in the league, 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.
They will face Everton later today and then host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ahead of next week’s big European clash, AS had a detailed chat with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard has used Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to lead the Gunners’ attack this season and the duo have been sidelined for a while. Earlier this week, Gabriel Magalhães picked up an injury and will be out of action for the rest of the season.
Arteta had to deal with injuries to several of his key players this season. Apart from the aforementioned trio, the manager had to do without Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White for certain period this season.
AS asked whether it’s motivation or frustration to not have a fully fit squad.
“It’s both [motivation and frustration],” he said.
“What I had in mind, and what I wrote down as my goal for when we were back in April, was: to reach this stage with the entire group available, capable of having played six top matches before, and, if we got to a knockout stage and had to go into extra time, that everyone would be able to finish it.
“Of course… from what I imagined to where we are, there’s a world of difference. Even so, we’ve been able to adapt, and we’ve achieved some very nice things. We’ve also brought out young players, others have risen in different positions, and it’s been a growth spurt for everyone.”
Arteta took over the job at the Emirates in December 2019 and won the FA Cup in his first season. Since then, the north London club have won the Community Shield twice in 2021 and 2023.
AS asked the manager how long Arsenal can afford ‘not to win’ silverware.
“I don’t know, but if you’re close, it’ll be your turn at the end. If this league is the best in the world, it’s for a reason, and that’s because there are six teams that can win it,” Arteta explained.
“The title won’t be ‘they tried,’ the title will be different, and I don’t want to use that word [laughs].”
The newspaper then asked whether overcoming Real Madrid in the Champions League will be ‘important and almost definitive boost’ for Arsenal’s project.
“Of course. In the end, we have to know where we are and what history we’ve had,” he added.
“This club hasn’t been to the Champions League quarterfinals twice in 15 years, which is a long time coming. And like that, there are many other things we’ve done.
“But we have to create our own history, and that means reaching these knockout stages, winning them, and reaching the semifinals. That’s the next step we have to take.”
