Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has challenged his players to convert their frustration from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth into fuel for a decisive Champions League performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Declan Rice marked his 100th Arsenal appearance with the opening goal at the Emirates, but second-half strikes from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson condemned the Gunners to a damaging loss.
The defeat dents their Premier League form just days before a critical European semi-final second leg in Paris.
Arsenal trail PSG 1-0 after the first leg and now head into the return fixture with momentum lost and pressure mounting.
Arteta acknowledged the emotional fallout but urged his squad to harness it for a “massive performance.”
“A positive result would really help us to build what we wanted towards Wednesday,” Arteta said post-match.
“So what we have created now is a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy. We must use that for Wednesday—win the game and be in the final.”
Arsenal made only two changes from the PSG defeat, with Jurrien Timber absent after a late substitution in the first leg.
Arteta remained noncommittal on Timber’s availability, stating, “At the moment, no, because he wasn’t able to play here and we play in four days.”
With three Premier League matches remaining and their Champions League qualification for next season not yet secured, Arteta admitted the team must balance priorities.
“We haven’t earned the right to finish second yet,” he noted. “We still have a lot to do.”
