Sports
ARTETA URGES ARSENAL TO USE CUP PAIN AS MOTIVATION AHEAD OF SPORTING CLASH.
Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to turn their recent cup setbacks into motivation
as they prepare for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting in
Lisbon.
The Gunners arrive on the back of back-to-back defeats for the first time this season,
following a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final and a 2-1 FA Cup
exit to Southampton.
Arteta said the response must be measured, telling reporters: “Feel the pain, use it to
improve.” He added that the team must stay calm and understand what went wrong,
noting: “When you understand that, be better.”
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Jurrien Timber due to injury.
Although Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard have returned to
training.
Sporting, unbeaten at home in Europe this season, are confident ahead of the tie,
with midfielder Maxi Araujo saying: “There are no favourites in this play-off.”
Manager Rui Borges added that Arsenal’s recent defeats will not weaken them,
insisting it will only make them more focused and dangerous.
The second leg will be played at the Emirates Stadium on April 15, with Arsenal also
returning to Premier League action this weekend.
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