Arsenal must maintain their hunger, Mikel Arteta says before West Ham United clash
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side have to focus on finishing the English Premier League season on a high, as they seek their first top-flight title since 2003-04.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his players to maintain their desire for success, as they approach the three decisive weeks in which they could secure their first English Premier League title since 2003-04, as well as a historic first Champions League trophy for the club.
The Gunners reached the Champions League final with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid, and they hold a five-point lead at the top of the English top flight with three matches to go. Second-placed Manchester City took on Brentford on May 9 in a match which ended after press time.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Arsenal’s trip to West Ham United on May 10, Arteta shared his message to his players and their fans.
“Stay present. Live in the moment,” he said on May 8.
“Prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more. We are closer and closer, and everything we do is going to matter.”
With the Champions League final against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 around the corner, the Arsenal boss urged his players to focus on 18th-placed West Ham, who are in a battle to avoid relegation.
“We will have time to prepare and get ready for the final, but now, the full focus and attention to detail, all the energy now has to be put into West Ham. We made that very clear,” Arteta added.
“I was in a really high emotional state after the (Atletico) game. We know what it means to everybody.
“But, you have to believe me, straight after that, my concentration, my focus, my energy and my attention was West Ham – what do we have to do mentally, physically, tactically and technically to prepare in the best possible way to go there and win the game.”
The Hammers, who are one point behind 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, are unbeaten at home in the league since January and have held Manchester United and City to draws.
“Understanding the context of the game for both clubs, it’s huge. We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game,” Arteta warned.
He also said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to play in the Champions League final.
“There’s a fair bit to do,” the Gunners boss said. “Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes.”
After this game, Arsenal then host already-relegated Burnley on May 18 before facing Crystal Palace on May 24, just three days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final against La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano. REUTERS, AFP
