Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s exit from the Europa League was a huge blow, but that it will bring “clarity” to their season.
Gabriel Martinelli had a decisive penalty saved as the north London side lost to Sporting CP in a dramatic shootout at the Emirates last night.
However, the Arsenal manager has already set his sights on the Premier League and is demanding his side bounce back against managerless Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He said: “It (Sporting’s defeat) is a huge blow, but it brings clarity to the season.
“We have 11 games to play, 11 Premier League games and a grand final against Crystal Palace.
“The focus must be there and we must learn from tonight.”
Martin Odegaard echoed his manager’s sentiment and is fully focused on the game against Palace, where a win could put the league leaders eight points clear of the top as Manchester City play Burnley at the Etihad on Saturday in the FA Cup.
The Arsenal captain, who came on as a late substitute last night, revealed his side had already discussed defeat and are ready to rectify it.
He said: “We’ve already talked about it in the dressing room. We have to move forward now.
We have to look at Sunday. It already started in the dressing room and we are getting ready.
“We just have to change the mindset again. I think everyone is disappointed, but we have to move forward and just be ready for Sunday.”
GO DEEPER
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