Mikel Arteta has encouraged Arsenal to channel the “disappointment” from their Champions League quarter-final defeat against Bayern Munich into motivation for their pursuit of the Premier League title.
Arteta’s team fell short of securing their first semi-final appearance since 2009, with Joshua Kimmich’s second-half header securing Bayern a 1-0 victory in the second leg and a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
It was a disappointing night in Munich for Arteta and his players, who had envisioned guiding Arsenal to their first-ever Champions League title.
Following an impressive run that saw them ascend to the summit of the Premier League and advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal faced a tumultuous week.
Their performance fell short of expectations in the 2-2 first-leg draw against Bayern, and they relinquished their position at the top of the Premier League standings after conceding two late goals in a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa on Sunday.
“We were very close, that is the reality. It’s painful, but we have to learn from this. We had our moments, especially in the first half,” Arteta said.
“The players gave their best, we didn’t have that magical moment that we need in the competition.
“In the first leg, we conceded two avoidable goals, which had a significant impact on the draw.
“We were still alive when we arrived here. The margins are so fine. A mistake or a moment makes the difference,” he added.
After being away from the Champions League for a long time, Arsenal performed admirably.
With another lackluster showing in Germany, Arteta now faces the challenge of restoring his team’s morale as they make a final push for the English title.
