Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager promises ‘beautiful’ things lie ahead for Gunners despite Man Utd result

Mikel Arteta explained he had a meeting with Arsenalthe players after the defeat against Manchester United to “lower the temperature” – as he promised, “beautiful” things await us.

A 3-2 defeat to United on Sunday was Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season and only their third in the Premier League after 23 games.

The Gunners are four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, but are winless in their last three domestic league matches after draws against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.

Still, Arteta said the reaction at the team meeting had been “excellent”, and he believes it bodes well for prospects for success for the rest of the season.

“We took a moment to lower the temperature, pause, reflect and ask two questions: the first is: how are we feeling and how am I feeling? And then, how are we going to get through the next four months?

“And it was so encouraging and beautiful because what came out of it was very simple.”

The Arsenal manager issued his message during a press conference ahead of the home game against Kairat in the Champions League, which takes place on Wednesday.

Arsenal are top of the European table, with seven wins from seven, while their visitors from Kazakhstan sit bottom of the group stage table.

A first Premier League title since 2004 remains firmly in Arsenal’s sights, with National Cup success and a tilt at the Champions League trophy also on their side.

Arteta said: “We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions, and over the next four months we are going to live and play with pleasure, with a lot of courage and with the belief that we are going to win.

“And that’s going to be the mindset and where we’re going to put the energy. And I just hope that everyone who is connected to this club, especially our supporters, jumps on that boat because that’s how we’re going to live the next four months because we deserve to live like that.”