Mikel Arteta has vowed that Arsenal will rebound from their current turbulent period, marked by setbacks in both the Premier League and Champions League. This determination follows a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro, where the Gunners were narrowly defeated due to a contentious penalty decision. Despite dominating much of the game, Arsenal’s efforts were undone when Mikel Merino was penalized for handball in first-half stoppage time, and Hakan Calhanoglu converted from the spot to secure the victory for Inter.
This defeat compounds Arsenal’s recent struggles, which include a 1-0 loss to Newcastle in the Premier League. The Gunners have only managed two wins in their last six matches across all competitions, and those victories came against comparatively weaker opponents, Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and Preston in the League Cup. Their recent form has seen them fall to fifth place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by seven points. With a significant clash against Chelsea looming, Arsenal’s margin for error is shrinking.
Arteta’s side has been weakened by several key absences. Captain Martin Odegaard, whose return from injury came late in the game against Inter, has been particularly missed. Odegaard’s influence in terms of creativity and pressing has been sorely lacking, contributing to Arsenal’s struggles in maintaining momentum. Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, combined with suspensions for Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard due to red cards, have further disrupted the team’s cohesion.
Adding to the turbulence, Arteta has had to face the unexpected resignation of Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director and a close ally. Edu’s departure to Nottingham Forest marks a significant shift, as he had played an integral role in rebuilding the squad and turning Arsenal into title contenders since his arrival in 2019. Arteta expressed his gratitude for Edu’s contributions, acknowledging the profound impact he had on the club’s progress and their close working relationship.
Despite these challenges, Arteta remains steadfast in his belief that Arsenal can turn their season around. He praised his team’s performance against Inter, emphasizing their resilience and spirit in a difficult away fixture. Arteta pointed to two controversial refereeing decisions that he felt disadvantaged Arsenal, including an overlooked incident where Merino was struck in the head. “The worst thing is the result, because of the performance and attitude we showed against one of the best teams in Europe in their stadium,” Arteta stated.
Looking ahead to the crucial London derby against Chelsea, Arteta maintained an optimistic outlook. He asserted that if Arsenal replicate the performance they displayed in Milan, they stand a strong chance of victory. “I have told them I am proud of them. We are disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game, that is for sure. But if we play the way we played tonight, the team has a big chance to win at Chelsea.”
As Arsenal seek to stabilize their campaign, Arteta’s confidence and leadership will be essential to reinvigorate a side that has shown glimpses of potential but has been weighed down by inconsistency. Whether his faith in the team’s ability to recover proves well-founded will soon be tested in the high-stakes environment of the Premier League.
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