Arsenal may use Madrid injustice against Fulham
Mikel Arteta believes there is still plenty of fuel in Arsenal's tank as attention turns back to the Premier League title race ahead of facing Fulham this weekend.
Arsenal returns to north London fresh from its 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final in midweek.
But the game, which saw Julian Alvarez's penalty cancel out Viktor Gyokeres's first-half spot-kick, was overshadowed by a late decision that went against the Gunners.
Eberechi Eze thought he had won a late penalty after going down under David Hancko's challenge, but after a trip to the video assistant referee (VAR) monitor, referee Danny Makkelie overturned his decision, much to the dismay of Arteta and his players.
Arteta was asked if his team would use feelings of "injustice" as motivation for its clash with Fulham, saying: "Maybe.
"But I think we have enough fuel in the tank, we are planning to win the Premier League. We are exactly where we wanted to be, four games to go, now let's go.
"We certainly have that [siege mentality], and we need to face each situation in any context to achieve our goal.
"What happened the other night [in the second leg of their [UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atletico] was extremely disappointing, but we need to make it at home now."
Fulham, meanwhile, has ambitions of its own, with Marco Silva's side 10th in the Premier League and just two points adrift of Brighton and Hove Albion in the UEFA Europa League qualification position.
Arsenal is fighting for its first Premier League title in 22 years but is looking nervously over its shoulders with Manchester City in hot pursuit, and Silva was asked whether his team could take advantage of any tension at Emirates Stadium.
"Let's hope we can use that," Silva said. "That depends on us, it depends on them, and it depends on many things.
"Whether the environment is tense or not depends on how we play and whether we are good enough to make it happen. Simple as that.
"Arsenal are a top side, a side that are title contenders, that play to win all of their games, but are also the most solid team in the league.
"We also enjoy this type of situation; we just have to look at ourselves and be competitive to fight for the three points. Three points to fight for – and we will fight."
































