Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta insists that the Gunners are determined to prove their critics wrong by continuing to challenge for all three trophies this season.
The Gunners are a point behind second placed Chelsea and will have to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 and also host Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
The Spaniard has issued a rallying cry ahead of a crucial run of games that are likely to define the outcome Arsenal’s season.
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, he said:
Some people have been waiting for us to crash and when you crash obviously you’re going to get headlines on that, but we know where we are.
I think we’ve worked really hard up until now to stay in the position we are in and to be all in all competitions. We want to maintain that and again on Sunday we’ve got a great opportunity to go through in the cup and into the next round.
I think we can’t afford to have any breaks between the squad, manager, directors and the supporters. I think the fans have been terrific through the year, I think they’ve been really helpful and players really appreciate that.
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[If] we can keep that atmosphere at the Emirates it’s going to be crucial, in my opinion, because we are really strong at home.
We have a great chance to win something this year so we need to stick together, accept that sometimes things are not going to go well over a period of 45 or 50 games and just value that the team is trying very hard and doing the best we can.
After the opening day defeat to Aston Villa many critics predicted that this will be the season when Arsenal will fall apart, but the Gunners have proved them wrong as they are within touching distance of the top with just 12 games remaining.
They are going through a tough patch after the loss to Liverpool and drawing with the champions, but are still in contention for the Premiership title. We are still competing for 3 trophies but that will be under big threat as we take on a rampant Liverpool in FA Cup, which will also be a great chance to take immediate revenge for the memories of the 5-1 drumming.
The FA Cup arguably represents the best trophy chance for us, so Wenger will be cautious not to over-rotate against Liverpool. Some changes will be needed to give the players some break, but with Manchester City beating Chelsea, an Arsenal win and a good draw could really open up a relatively ‘clear’ path to Wembley.
Can Arsenal go all the way in the FA Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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