Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal must raise their standards as they prepare for a crucial Champions League last-16 tie against PSV, their best shot at silverware this season.
Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash against PSV Eindhoven, emphasising the importance of maintaining the level of consistency that saw his team finish third in the league phase. With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, Arteta was clear about what needs to be done.
“Certainly, focusing on what we have done in this competition and why we’ve done it,” he said. “That’s the biggest reaction, because this doesn’t happen at that level of consistency for that many months for a random reason, it’s because we have it or not.
“There are certain things that we’re going to have to adapt, that’s certainly unquestionable, and still be very efficient and a top team.”
Arsenal return to Champions League action after a five-week break, having advanced directly to the last 16 following their 6-1-1 record in the league phase.
PSV, on the other hand, had to fight through the play-off round, edging past Juventus 4-3 over two legs. With Arsenal’s domestic title bid fading – 13 points behind Liverpool – this competition presents Arteta’s best opportunity for silverware this season.
A different PSV from last year
The two sides met in the group stage last season, with Arsenal winning 4-0 at the Emirates before settling for a 1-1 draw in Eindhoven. However, Arteta dismissed any comparisons.
“One year in football is a long, long, long time!” he said. “The context has changed, they have other players as well, we have other players as well, momentum is different.
“We played a competition at that moment where we were already qualified, they weren’t, and now it’s a tie to decide who is through, so it’s very different.”
With PSV already having eliminated Juventus, Arteta is not underestimating the challenge.
“The reality is that me personally as a coach, I just look at what’s ahead and what’s ahead is a team that has eliminated a team like Juventus, with a history. I know the difficulty; we played against them a lot in recent years and we know the difficulty of the match.”
Lifting standards for the knockout stage
Despite mixed results in recent domestic fixtures, Arteta insists the team still has another level to reach.
“When it comes to that stage, it’s about lifting the level and the standards, every individual has to be at their best. When we do that, with the team that we have and the connection we have between us, we are a really strong team.”
Asked if he too must raise his own performance as a manager at this stage of the season, Arteta was direct:
“Yeah, but it’s expected, and the reality is really different many times. It’s part of our job. The moment that you have a result, it’s hurting, but it has to last 24 hours because then you have to move on and you have to face the next game and the preparation.
“You cannot get away from that, that’s a big quality of a coach or any player at this level because in three days’ time, you’re going to have another match, and emotionally and physically, you’re going to have to be ready for it.”
The importance of defence in knockout football
While Arsenal have been among the most prolific teams in the Champions League, their defensive stability could be the key to progression.
“If you look at the history of the teams who have been very successful, the defensive record is critical,” Arteta said. “And then we have shown we have the capacity to score a lot of goals in the competition, obviously the options are different, but the team still has a lot of resources to do that.”
With the first leg taking place in Eindhoven, Arteta acknowledged that managing the tie across two legs is crucial, but Arsenal’s only focus right now is ensuring they leave the Philips Stadion with a positive result.
“You certainly know that everything starts tomorrow. The more we play with the intention to dominate the game, be better than them, and win it, the better the result will be, I’m sure.”
As Arsenal prepare for their most significant European test of the season, Arteta’s message to his squad is clear: stick to what has worked, adapt where necessary, and raise the levels – because knockout football demands it.