MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:33:23| >> :60:64:64:

Mikel Arteta pleased with reaction as Arsenal aim to bounce back against Chelsea

Mikel Arteta pleased with reaction as Arsenal aim to bounce back against Chelsea
© Reuters
The Gunners started the Premier League campaign with a 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Brentford last Friday.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been pleased with the reaction of his side as they look to recover from defeat on the opening day of the season when they host Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners started the Premier League campaign with a 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Brentford last Friday.

While they were deservedly beaten, Arteta was hamstrung in terms of his team selection with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Willian and Alex Runarsson all unavailable having tested positive for Covid-19.

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette (left) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both missed the Brentford game.
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette (left) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both missed the Brentford game (Ian Walton/PA)

"Put things into perspective," Arteta said while previewing Sunday's visit of Champions League holders Chelsea.

"We had an incredible 48 hours before that match. It created a big uncertainty and probably an unprecedented Arsenal line-up."

The defeat at the Brentford Community Stadium carried more weight for Arsenal, given their next two league games are against Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester City.

A London derby against Chelsea is next up, with Lacazette and Runarsson still missing following their coronavirus results.

Aubameyang and Willian could feature, while new signing Aaron Ramsdale is available – unlike Martin Odegaard, who is awaiting a visa following his permanent transfer from Real Madrid.

Despite still having a selection headache, Arteta has been happy with the response from his side and is now targeting a fourth-straight win over the Blues.

"We tried everything that we had in that Brentford game, but it didn't work out," he added.

"We knew the consequences of that externally, what it was going to mean but internally, the reaction has been incredibly positive.

"It's one day of Premier League football – we have the whole season ahead of us and any negativity that's going to try and surround this football club is going to be out of these walls.

"The best way to put things away is to win. Football matches, when you win them, it creates a different context and a different environment and energy around the place.

"Our focus is to get the best possible performance and then the result will be a consequence to that. Our main focus has to be that."

ID:460257:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5737:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel celebrates with the Champions League trophy on May 29, 2021
Read Next:
Thomas Tuchel: Chelsea's first-team door will always be open to academy talent
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!