Mikel Arteta makes Premier League 'guarantee' after Champions League exit

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits he is ‘very sad and disappointed’ (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has guaranteed that Arsenal will be ‘fully focused’ on the Premier League title race following Wednesday’s Champions League exit.

The Gunners suffered defeat in the second leg of their quarter-final to Bayern Munich and the Premier League is now their last chance of landing a trophy.

Arsenal return to top-flight action on Saturday with a trip to Wolves – having lost to Aston Villa in their last Premier League match – as they sit second in the table, two points behind Manchester City with six games left.

Speaking after Arsenal’s painful defeat to Bayern Munich, which left Harry Kane absolutely delighted, Arteta was quizzed as to how he will end his side’s slump.

‘We have to be close to the players,’ Arteta said. ‘What they need to do is stand right next to them, give them our support and our love.

‘We have to pick it up because we have a big, big game on Saturday. We really want it and we have to show that we’re capable of turning it around.’

Asked about the pain of the defeat, Arteta added: ‘It’s there. It’s not going to go away tonight but I can guarantee you by tomorrow we’re fully focused on Wolves and what we have to play for is beautiful.

Arsenal players looked devastated after losing to Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s easy to get behind the players when we win 10 in a row. The moment is now to be behind them and be next to them.’

Speaking more generally about Arsenal’s loss to Bayern Munich, Arteta said: ‘Very sad and disappointed with the final result.

‘It was a tie of very small margins. In the first leg we conceded two poor goals. Today we came here and I’m really proud of the players, especially in the first half.

‘It was a game where you can see an error or individual brilliance would make the difference. We didn’t defend our box well enough.

‘Credit to the opponent as well. It’s hard to break the opponents down when they play in the manner that they did.

‘We struggled to keep that momentum in the second half. They’re never games with big, big chances. Very rare. It’s the moment to be next to our players [now].’

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