Arteta wants a response after Europa exit
Mikel Arteta wants his Arsenal players to harness the pain of their Europa League exit to Villarreal to sink lowly West Brom.
The Gunners could only draw 0- 0 against former boss Unai Emery’s side on Thursday night as they missed out on a coveted Europa League final place.
After an inconsistent Premier League campaign, Arsenal look like facing a first season without European football in 25 years.
Next up they host West Brom in a game where defeat for the Baggies would see their relegation confirmed.
Ar teta has urged his squad to overcome the hurt suffered by their poor performance and elimination three days earlier.
“We have no time because we have a game,” he replied when asked whether the team can harness the pain they feel.
“We had a training session on Friday and it had to be when you leave the training ground, most of it has to be out of the system.
“I think you have to leave some of it in some of your system, and use some of it in the right way as an energy driver in the game on Sunday.”
While a number of Arteta’s biggest players were criticised for not delivering, once again it was Arsenal’s young talent which impressed.
Emile Smith Rowe had a good night, while Bukayo Saka has enjoyed a fine season which recently saw him named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.
“It gives me a lot of confidence as they have shown what they can do,” Arteta said of his precocious youngsters.
Sam Allardyce was once again noncommittal about his West Brom future as he admitted the likelihood of relegation is “difficult to swallow”.
The 66- year- old has a break clause in the 18- month deal he signed last December in the event Albion finish in the bottom three, a prospect that seems probable. He would not be drawn on his plans beyond the end of the season until second- bottom Albion’s fate becomes known.
“There’s no definite update,” he said. “I wouldn’t tell you even if I knew myself. I wouldn’t tell anybody. What’s happening with myself is undecided just yet, I suppose next week we’ll have more in-depth discussions.”