ARSNEAL BOSS MIKEL Arteta has insisted he does not have to tell his players what is at stake as they attempt to revive their fading Champions League hopes.
The Gunners entertain relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday knowing even victory might not be enough to secure a top-four Premier League finish after Monday night’s costly 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
That left them two points adrift of arch-rivals Tottenham, whose superior goal difference means a draw at relegated Norwich, barring a cricket score at the Emirates Stadium, will be enough to keep their neighbours at bay.
A defiant Arteta said: “We will still have five days to prepare for that match. We know what we have to do.
“There’s not a lot of words that are needed after the performance.”
Arsenal were undone by a spirited Newcastle side backed by a vociferous home crowd celebrating a recovery which has ensured the sides will meet again in the top flight next season. That was far from certain when head coach Eddie Howe took the reins in November last year.
The depleted visitors, who arrived in the north-east still smarting from Thursday’s 3-0 derby defeat at Spurs, were out-played from the off and never looked like emerging with a victory which would have taken them back above Antonio Conte’s men heading into the final round of fixtures.
Ben White’s 55th-minute own goal – he stood in for the suspended Rob Holding on his return from a hamstring injury – and a second from Bruno Guimaraes five minutes from time did the damage, but the Magpies could have won even more comfortably.
However, asked if he had been let down by his players, Arteta said: “No, I am the maximum responsible [person] all the time.
“If somebody has created an expectation this year that no-one in this room probably would talk about at the start of this season, it’s those players that are there.”
England international Bukayo Saka was at a loss to explain the performance, but equally refused to accept the seemingly inevitable while Champions League qualification remains a mathematical possibility.
He told the club’s official website: “Overall there is huge disappointment and frustration. I just can’t believe how we performed.
“We lost all our duels, we lost all the second balls, we didn’t play out well, just overall disappointment in every aspect.
“But come Sunday against Everton at the Emirates, we’re going to be there to win, and hopefully things go our way. That’s all you can do from now.
“Technically it’s not over, we can still do it, but we’ve missed out on two big opportunities to put ourselves in a good position, so it’s just a shame.”
Absolute huge news for munster.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: isn’t it a shame as we get 2 vital players back, we lose another 2 – Daly, Oli Jager to probable season ending injury.
The revolving door continues, hope poor Jeremy has healed, he looked baet up before his stint on the bench. Great to have an attacking threat back at 12, Rory in fairness has been really solid but ball carrying freak like Nankavilli is needed, if Jack is going to be twiddling his thumbs would rather have him back for Edinburgh, unlikely. Also Coombs or Gleeson need to start. It’s a must win with a bonus point game if we want top 4. Hopefully Campbell comes into the fold too.
Is nankivell eligible for Ireland.. and if so when ?!
@Gary Galligan: 2027
@Gary Galligan: He’s not and wouldnt get a look in even if he was. We have plenty world class centres in Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw and Osborne with a few serious young talented lads coming through in Gavin, Forde and Postlewaithe who are considerably younger than Nankivell. And the same goes for Tom Farrell.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: mister Boyle says 2 years time. Bundee Robbie Gary going on 30 …. Nankivell is better than all the younger boys
@Gary Galligan: So by he’ll be 30/31 with absolutely no international experience
@Gary Galligan: huge gavin is promising
@Gary Galligan: He’s definitely not better than the younger lads who’ll be playing for Ireland very soon. Nankivell is good but he’s no world beater. We have some young prospects who have the potential to be world beaters. We have to develop our own and build for the future. That’s how it works
@Gary Galligan: no point even thinking about it as knowing munster luck when he does his 5 years and is eligible, the all blacks will have a slew of injuries at centre and end up capping him against Italy in some random summer tour
@Gary Galligan: Osborne will end up a 12 I reckon.
@scott casey: NZ don’t cap players not playing in NZ. And knowing Munster’s luck? What because something similar happened with Frisch and he decided to leave ye then? It’s always ‘poor me’ from the Moansters.
@Patrick Breen: are you alright?. It was fairly late at night to be going on a rant about a joke comment
@Seanie: Wood and Kareem too.
@Gary Galligan: he’s not better than Jamie Osborne and Hugh Gavin could easily have a higher ceiling too