Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to be consistent away from home in order to stand the chance in the Champions League. The Gunners face Atalanta in Italy, in their first game of the Champions League this season.
Arsenal finished in second place in the Premier League last season as they qualified for the Champions League for the second season in a row under Mikel Arteta. Last season the Gunners were impressive, as they reached the quarterfinals only to be knocked out by Bayern Munich.
Mikel Arteta points out Arsenal’s issues in Europe
The Gunners won one of their four away matches in the Champions League last season, and only managed to score four goals away from home.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says to be a contender in Europe, the team will need to be consistent:
“If we want to be at the level we want to be we have to be really good on the road and at home. We have to continue to be very consistent. In Europe it’s very tough to win just like in the Premier League. Hopefully we can be better.
You don’t know the opponents that well and then boxes become crucial. There are small moments that define the games. In Europe you’d better be at your best.”
Arteta would be excited after Arsenal managed to beat Spurs away from home in the North London derby. After the game, the Spaniard was impressed with how the team was able to win despite missing a number of key players.
Jorginho speaks on Atalanta clash
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho also had some words on the Champions League this season, saying the game against Atalanta would be ‘difficult’:
“It will be very difficult against a team that have been playing together for a number of years. They have shown they can win games and they have shown great quality and physical strength.
“I love coming back to Italy.”
“To be honest I wasn’t shocked because I know Atalanta. They’ve been improving years on year and they deserve what they’ve achieved. I’m very happy for what they’ve done, and the fact that they’ve improved in Europe as well. It shows Italian football is of great quality.”
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori who returned to training. However the team will still be without captain Martin Odeegard, who will be out for an extended period with a ‘significant’ injury according to Mikel Arteta.
