Mikel Arteta is hopeful that is side will bounce back from the London derby defeat when they travel to Newcastle United.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that his side will bounce back from disappointment when they play Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The Gunners suffered defeat in the London derby against Tottenham which blew the chance of sealing the top four race.
Arsenal will visit Newcastle United tomorrow as they will seek to continue their race for next season’s Champions League spot.
Speaking on the disappointment in the London derby Arteta said: “Obviously losing a derby is always painful and having been through the situation we went in the game, it’s like that, but as well, you learn a lot probably more than with any victory, so it’s good to go through those moments sometimes.
“That it was a possibility and that we knew that to get in the position that we are today, a lot has happened in the past and we’ve been through it, we’ve experienced it and hopefully, that can help us again on Monday.”
This is not the first time this season the Gunners will face this kind of disappointment but Arteta claims he is lucky to have his players as they perform to give the best to the team.
“How lucky I am to have them, how they stand under any difficulty, how much they are looking forward to play on Monday, how excited they are about the challenge ahead, because we all know everything that we’ve been through throughout the season and how much we have to fight to be in this position.
“The excitement that they’ve shown me every day. The way they’ve come in today with the energy that they were with today to play the game and very willing to go there and perform at the highest level.”
Newcastle United were poor at the start of the season and it looked like they would relegate then, but things have changed for them lately.
Speaking about the progress of the Magpies Arteta said: “Well, you can see what Eddie and the coaching staff have done. Straight away they tried to modify the way they were playing, they have changed formation a few times, but after that they’ve been quite consistent and they have turned the place around I think in a really good way, and so merit to them.”
