Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has urged his teammates to hit the ground running when they host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
The Gunners welcome the Bavarians to the Emirates for their last 16 first leg tie, and will be hoping for an immediate response following their disappointing 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Blackburn this past weekend.
Arteta is aware of the north Londoners' failure to take the game to their opponents in previous big matches, a trait he will be hoping is rectified against Die Roten.
"The last few big games we missed the first 20-25 minutes and the gave the opposition probably too much respect," he said.
"We want to face a different scenario with Bayern and get into the game and show that we want to win it.
"The table of the Premier League of first and second 45 minutes is very different. That shows our qualities are very good, because when teams tire a little bit we are able to [score], but also that we are not ready from the off to do what we want right from the start."
The Spanish playmaker is adamant that the prospect of facing the in-form Bayern should only spur the Gunners on, with the reward of progressing to the next round of Europe's elite club competition providing enough incentive to win.
"It gives you extra motivation because you are facing top players and a top club and you want to show how good you are against them," Arteta continued.
"We have a great test now and we want to face that with the maximum desire and a positivity around the squad and go out there and win it."
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story