Mikel Arteta responds to nervous Arsenal fans ahead of Aston Villa showdown
Mikel Arteta says he wants to use the nervous energy of the crowd at the Emirates Stadium to push Arsenal into the title race, ahead of a huge match against Aston Villa.
The Gunners beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday to remain two points clear at the top of the Premier League, but what should have been a comfortable victory was anything but.
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Arteta’s side led 2-0 just after half-time and looked on course for a big win before Diego Gomez scored in the 64th minute to set up a nervy finish.
The home fans were clearly tense and Arteta was then asked if he could feel their energy.
Next up for Arsenal is a huge match against unlikely title rivals Aston Villa (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arteta said: “When you have just conceded in the last minute of the previous game, against Crystal Palace, after we haven’t really conceded anything (chances), and they score with the first shot they had, it’s obviously (nervous).
“But we also have to be able to go through this with normalcy, showing composure and understanding that, OK, if you’re not doing well, if you’re not being effective in the opponent’s box, then you have to be incredibly good in your own end. That’s a good way to get through this as well.”
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Asked if it was sustainable to be emotional in games, Arteta replied: “Yes, from my side, yes.”
Despite their excellent recent form, winning seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, Arsenal have not won a Premier League match by more than one goal since their 2-0 victory over Brentford on December 3.
On why the crowd might be nervous, Arteta said: “It’s the will to win. We all want to win so much that it’s like ‘No, I don’t want to lose what I have.’
“We have to play to keep scoring and show that composure and that ability, and we should have scored the third. We had two huge chances to make it 3-1 and it would have been different. We didn’t do it, so we have to suffer a bit more.”
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Arsenal face Villa on Tuesday in what looks to be a huge match for several reasons.
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has a decent record against his former club and Villa also beat Arsenal just three weeks ago.
If they were to win again on Tuesday, the two clubs would be tied on points.