Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had hoped to gain winning momentum into Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris Saint-Germain but has now urged his players to use the anger felt in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Midfielder Declan Rice netted the opening goal of the contest, on his 100th Arsenal appearance, to give the hosts a lead at the interval.
But the Gunners conceded two goals in the second half, with Dean Huijsen and Evanilson netting in the space of eight minutes, to hit the North Londoners with a low boost ahead of the crucial trip to Paris, as they trail 1-0.
“A positive result would really help us to build what we wanted towards Wednesday,” he said reporters.
“So what we have created now is a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy.
“So [we must] make sure that we use that for Wednesday to have a massive performance in Paris, win the game and be in the final.”
Arteta made just two changes from Tuesday’s loss to PSG, one of which was full-back Jurrien Timber after he was withdrawn in the closing stages of the first leg.
Timber was not in the squad for Saturday’s game and Arteta was tight-lipped about the Dutchman’s chance for the second leg.
Quizzed if he was confident Timber could play a part on Wednesday, Arteta said: “Confident? At the moment, no, because he wasn’t able to play here and we play in four days.”
While Arsenal’s team selection felt like a gamble ahead of the biggest game of their season against PSG, who have already won Ligue 1 and made 10 changes for their 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg on Saturday, Arteta said he had little choice.
Having pushed eventual English champions Liverpool to the limit this campaign, Arsenal are now looking over their shoulders and need six points from their remaining three Premier League matches to be sure of Champions League football next season.
Arsenal travel to Liverpool next Sunday before they host Newcastle United the following weekend in two difficult games, with Arteta admitting they cannot focus solely on Europe.
“Mathematically we are not qualified [for next season’s Champions League],” the Spaniard said. “We haven’t earned the right to finish second yet, so we still have a lot to do.”
