Mikel Arteta says Arsenal can go to a ‘different level’ despite injuries

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said the club can go to a different level despite injury woes. The Gunners will take on PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash at Philips Stadion.

Arteta’s team hasn’t scored in the last two matches against West Ham and Nottingham Forest and they would need to turn the tables against the Dutch club.

Arsenal is in arrears with 13 points to table leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. Furthermore, they are missing the services of players like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli due to their respective injuries.

Asked how he could convince his weakened squad to boost their confidence, Arteta said: “By trying to explain how we’re going to do it and why we do things. And they try to deliver that in the best possible way.

“In the last two results, it’s been very different in terms of performance as well. Not getting the result that we want, but certainly being better, especially in the last game than the opposition.

“And the fact that we have still gears, even with the players that we have, some other gears to take the game to a different level. When it comes to that stage, it’s about lifting the level and the standards.

“Every individual has to be at their best. And when we do that, with the team that we have and the connection that we have between us, we are a really strong team.”

On the other hand, Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber reckons the match against PSV is an opportunity for them to turn a corner.

Pushed on how transformative the game could be, Netherlands defender Timber said: “Yeah, very. I think the motivation is there. It is an amazing league to play in, I think we showed as well in the group stages that we did really well and we have a good team. Tomorrow is a beautiful game to change the narrative and to win.

“We have to score tomorrow, we have to win and in the Champions League you only have two games so you don’t get second chances so we have to go for it in this game.”