Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has affirmed his team’s determination to overcome their recent 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa. Speaking after the dramatic Saturday loss, Arteta expressed confidence that the Gunners would recover and move forward.

Reflecting on the Premier League’s Intensity

Arteta acknowledged the challenging nature of the English Premier League. He highlighted that playing at various tough venues is part of the competition. While the result against Villa was not what they desired, he believes the team is ready to handle pressure.

“That is the league,” Arteta stated. “You visit Old Trafford, St James’ Park, Chelsea, and then here. We have played in many difficult grounds.”

He added, “The outcome could have been different, but that is the reality. We had an 18-game unbeaten run and remain close to the top. This shows the league’s high standard, and we understand that. This is the opportunity before us, and we must seize it.”

Vowing to Bounce Back

Despite the setback, Arteta remains optimistic about his squad’s resilience. He emphasized the team’s ability to learn from the experience and come back stronger.

“Now is the moment to bounce back,” he continued. “My players have given me every reason to believe we will perform at the same high level. We will learn from today, and it will make us a better team.”

The Premier League fixture seemed headed for a draw. However, Emiliano Buendia’s late strike in added time secured all three points for the home side.

Addressing Injury Concerns

Arteta also commented on the impact of player injuries on the team’s overall performance. He noted the team’s ability to manage such challenges thus far.

“We are five months into the competition, and we have coped well so far,” Arteta explained. “We must prove we can continue to cope for another six months. Those expecting us to be ten points clear at this stage are living in a different reality.”

The Gunners’ boss further revealed concerning news about centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. The defender’s ankle injury is more severe than initially thought, ruling him out for several weeks.

“He will be out for weeks, unfortunately,” Arteta confirmed. “It’s much worse than we anticipated, so he will be sidelined for an extended period.”