“I’m on fire, motivated”, Arteta before the match with Sporting: We are not afraid
“Gunners” – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his team to play with “pure fire” as they prepare for one of the most important weeks in recent years.
The Gunners host Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday (April 15), after winning 1-0 in Lisbon last week, for a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
This was the only win for the Premier League leaders in their last four matches, having lost in all three domestic competitions.
On Sunday they face Manchester City, their closest rival in the title race.
Having last won the FA Cup in 2020 during Arteta’s first season in charge and not having been crowned champions for 22 years, the pressure on Arsenal has increased to deliver the success that the club and fans desire.
At the press conference before the return match against Sporting, Arteta was asked if he had a message for the players and fans.
“No fear, pure fire. That’s it,” he said.
“Pure fire is what I want to see from the players, the people and from myself. The opportunity is incredible. Let’s face it, let’s go ahead and give it our all,” he added.
He continued along the same lines when asked about nervousness.
“Fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else,” he added.
“I’m very motivated. I’ve done a lot to be in this position. I know what this club has been like. That’s the beauty. I see beauty and opportunity. I want to make it happen for all the people who are on this journey with us. That motivates me every day. Zero fear,” he said.
In the last weak series, Arsenal was defeated by Manchester City in the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) final, by Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and at home by Bournemouth in the championship.
From the hope of a historic “Quadruple”, the losses have reduced the chances of a trophy from four to two, while the lead at the top of the table has narrowed to six points, with Pep Guardiola’s team having one game in hand.
Striker Eberechi Eze said: “The coach speaks well, he is passionate and you see the fire in his eyes and mind, and that has spread throughout the club. No matter what is said outside, what matters is what we do.”
Midfielder Declan Rice was one of five players absent from Tuesday’s open training session.
He has played the full 90 minutes in the last two matches, against Sporting and Bournemouth.
“We have to wait until tomorrow morning to see the condition of some players and then make the right decision,” said Arteta.
“He has played a lot of games and that is part of the problem. He will do everything he can to be with us tomorrow night,” the Spanish coach continued.
Captain Martin Ødegaardi, winger Bukayo Saka and defenders Jurrien Timberi and Riccardo Calafiori were also absent from training, having not played in the defeat to Bournemouth.
While Arteta said that one of Saka or Timber could feature against Sporting, he revealed that the England striker has been having problems with his Achilles tendon.
“There has been no deterioration, there is progress. We hope it is a matter of days and not weeks,” he concluded.
