Mikel Arteta says he wants his side to be more effective on the road in Europe having struggled in key away games during last season’s Champions League campaign.
While the Gunners recorded a creditable win in Seville during the group stages, a defeat to Lens and a draw with PSV Eindhoven set the tone for travels in the knockout stages. A penalty shootout victory over Porto came after a first-leg loss before Bayern Munich dumped Arteta’s men out of the competition with a 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena after a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
While it’s not necessarily a huge surprise given the calibre of opposition, away form in Europe comes in stark contrast to an unbeaten run of away games on the domestic front stretching back to last year.
Facing the media in Bergamo ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League opener with Atalanta, Arteta said: “If we want to be at the level that we want to be, we have to be really good on the road and at home, there’s no other choice. So we have to continue to be that consistent and get the results, especially get the performances that are going to get us the result.
“In Europe, it’s extremely tough like it is in the Premier League to win, but, hopefully, we can be more effective than we were last season because, especially in this competition, the small margins define results and we have to be really good at it.
He added: “Obviously you don’t know the opponents that well [in Europe] and then the boxes become crucial.
“I think at this level there are small details, small moments that define the story of the competition and define the story of a game. And the Premier League is a bit different, but in Europe the teams are ruthless and you better be at your best and be very, very effective.”
Asked if Arsenal can learn from last season’s campaign, he replied: “I hope so. That’s the aim. It was a great campaign for us. We got to a place that we didn’t as a club for 16 or 18 years and we weren’t satisfied and happy at all because we want more. So they showed that hunger. I think we have the ability, we have the quality certainly and now we have to prove it.”
On the same theme, he added: “The fact that obviously we weren’t satisfied and we wanted more and we knew that we could be there and we have the level and we lost a few things on the way that didn’t allow us to be there. That has to be in the tummy, you know, and a new season, a new opportunity and that’s the beautiful thing about sports.”
Asked about the new format of the Champions League, he continued: “It’s different. Here we are, playing on a Thursday night in the Champions League, which is different, but really happy, motivated, very enthusiastic.
“First game, a really tough place to come. They [Atalanta] built something amazing here [winning the Europa League] and it was a beautiful story, what they achieved last season, but for us as well. It’s a new season and we really want to kick on the right way.”
Speaking earlier in the evening, Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Atalanta, said of the challenge posed by Arsenal: “They’re a team I have a lot of respect for. They’re very compact and organised, a good example of good football.
“Their results speak for themselves, even if they did fall just short of winning the Premier League [last season].”
There was also a warning from ex-Gunner Sead Kolasinac, who has made Atalanta his home after spells with Schalke and Marseille.
The 31-year-old, who spent five years at the Emirates said: “Arsenal won the north London derby, and are full of confidence. They have great players, are solid in defence and very dangerous at set pieces.
“We are up against a team with an excellent shape, who can press high while remaining compact. They are a young side who know their strengths; and we know ours.
He added: “I’m happy to see my old team-mates again, it’s special. It’s always difficult to play against English teams; they are physically strong.
“We watch a lot of the Premier League, and know it will be difficult but we have prepared well and we have a game plan to implement.”
Defend solidly then score at a corner. Good strategy, keep doing it!
Is there anyone in our team that played with Kola even?
His last league start was at Man City in 2021. Five current Arsenal players were on the pitch in that game (plus unused sub Martinelli) – three of those were wearing blue…