Mikel Arteta appreciates the pressure is always on at Arsenal as he prepares his squad for a pivotal game against Benfica바카라 웹사이트that will shape the remainder of their season. (More Football News)
Arsenal go into the second leg against their Portuguese opponents with the바카라 웹사이트Europa League last-32 tie delicately balanced following a 1-1 draw바카라 웹사이트in Rome.바카라 웹사이트
The English club did grab an away goal in the first meeting, though are without the benefit of home advantage for the return fixture. Due to coronavirus travel restrictions, the game is to be played in Greece.바카라 웹사이트
Out of both domestic cups and languishing down in 10th바카라 웹사이트place in the Premier League, Europe offers the Gunners their last chance of success in Arteta's바카라 웹사이트first full season in charge.바카라 웹사이트
"I always feel that it (pressure)바카라 웹사이트is [on me], every time you're playing in a competition and you can go out you know the consequences and with this club [the aim] is always to win the competition that you are in, so that doesn't really change much,"바카라 웹사이트Arteta바카라 웹사이트said.
"It's a big season and바카라 웹사이트a really important바카라 웹사이트[game],바카라 웹사이트mentally and confidence-wise.바카라 웹사이트바카라 웹사이트
"It's going to dictate if we're in another competition or not for a few more weeks. This is really what we need. It's a바카라 웹사이트really tough바카라 웹사이트opponent.바카라 웹사이트바카라 웹사이트
"It's a Champions League team who have been playing in these types of games for many years with a manager with huge experience. For us, it's a final."
With an 11-point gap to fourth-placed West Ham and just 13 games remaining, it seems improbable that Arsenal can qualify for next season's바카라 웹사이트Champions League through the domestic route.바카라 웹사이트
The Europa League, therefore,바카라 웹사이트takes on added importance. They have바카라 웹사이트won on each of their previous two visits to Greece as well, albeit바카라 웹사이트both against Olympiacos, including a victory in this same competition a year ago.바카라 웹사이트
"I think while mathematically everything is possible, in football you have to try so hard," Arteta바카라 웹사이트said. "We're going to do that in the league for sure.
"It's true that the Europa League gives you a completely different route and is a competition that we want to carry on바카라 웹사이트playing, and바카라 웹사이트try to win it.바카라 웹사이트바카라 웹사이트
"Tomorrow is another opportunity to make a step forward. The better we are in the Europa League, the better we're going to be performing in the league and vice-versa. We need to be alive in both competitions."
Arteta revealed Thomas바카라 웹사이트Partey바카라 웹사이트is "very close"바카라 웹사이트to a return from a hamstring injury, meaning the midfielder could feature against Benfica.바카라 웹사이트Rob Holding, however, is ruled out due concussion protocols.바카라 웹사이트
