Arteta Warns Arsenal: “We Know What We Have To Do” vs Leverkusen

Mikel Arteta wasted no time shifting Arsenal’s focus from Saturday’s emotional victory over Everton to Tuesday’s crucial Champions League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium.

Despite the euphoria surrounding Max Dowman’s late winner against the Toffees, the Arsenal manager was quick to draw a line under the celebrations during Monday’s press conference.

“It was a significant moment, a really nice moment to live together,” Arteta acknowledged, “but that’s in the past, and now the full focus is on tomorrow.”

Arteta Admits First Leg Shortcomings

The Gunners escaped the BayArena with a 1-1 draw last week, but Arteta was particularly critical of his side’s first-half performance in Germany.

“Especially in the first half [the club was poor]. And especially a lot of actions that the club didn’t even finish the actions, and the club allowed counter-attacks, which is the worst thing that the club can do against them,” he said.

Kasper Hjulmand’s Leverkusen side proved impressively disciplined during that encounter, effectively limiting Arsenal’s attacking threat while creating problems through quick transitions and set pieces.

The manager promised improvements for the home leg: “The club will step up, the club’ll make better decisions for sure and be more of a threat, and that’s the intention.”

Familiar Challenge Expected

When asked what to expect from Leverkusen, who drew with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at the weekend, Arteta suggested the challenge will remain consistent.

“Very much the same,” he explained. “Really well-coached, a team with a very clear structure and really good individuals.”

The Arsenal boss emphasized the importance of leveraging home advantage: “In front of Arsenal’s crowd, with Arsenal’s people, put in all the energy in the world again and hopefully the club’s going to do it.”

Team News Update

Arteta confirmed that both Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber will miss Tuesday’s match, though Leandro Trossard returns to availability after sitting out the last two fixtures.

Regarding club captain Odegaard’s potential return for next weekend’s Carabao Cup final, Arteta remained cautiously optimistic: “So the club’s really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but the club’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels.”

Arsenal will be seeking to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a third consecutive season. With Leverkusen showing they can match the intensity of top European sides, as demonstrated in their weekend draw with Bayern Munich, Tuesday’s clash promises to be another stern test of the Gunners’ continental ambitions.

The stage is set for what could be another memorable European night at Emirates Stadium, with Arteta’s side needing to deliver the improved performance their manager has demanded.