Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s exit from the Europa League was a huge blow but will bring “clarity” to their season.
Gabriel Martinelli saved the decisive penalty as North London lost to Sporting CP in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Emirates last night.
However, the Arsenal manager has already set his sights on the Premier League, urging his side to bounce back against leaderless Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He said: “It (the sporting defeat) is a huge blow but it brings clarity to the season.
“We have 11 games to play, 11 Premier League games and the big final against Crystal Palace.
“The focus has to be there and we have to learn from tonight.”
Martin Odegaard echoed his manager’s sentiment and is fully focused on the game against Palace, where a win can move the league leaders eight points clear at the top when Manchester City take on Burnley in the FA Cup at the Etihad on Saturday.
The Arsenal captain, who came on as a late substitute last night, revealed that his side had already discussed the defeat and are ready to make amends.
He said: “We already talked about it in the dressing room. We have to move on now.
We’ll have to wait until Sunday. It already started in the dressing room and we are preparing.
“We just have to change the mindset again. I think everyone is disappointed but we have to move on and be ready for Sunday.
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