Arteta says Arsenal is energised for PSV contest
Mikel Arteta has no concerns over his team's energy ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with PSV this week.
Indeed, he feels the allure of Europe's elite club competition will only add extra fuel to Arsenal's fire.
The Gunners have fallen 13 points off the pace in the Premier League after a damaging defeat to West Ham United and frustrating draw at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal was afforded some rest this past weekend, as it had already been eliminated from the FA Cup, but it still heads into the first leg against PSV with plenty of injuries to deal with.
However, Arteta feels his team are ready to go.
"It's a game that obviously brings a different energy, keeps everyone on their toes," Arteta said.
"What is ahead is a team that has eliminated Juventus. We played them a lot in recent years, so we know the challenge."
Arsenal played PSV twice in the group stages last season, winning 4-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away.
It will need no reminding that the previous time it played the 25-time Dutch title winner in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal was eliminated, losing 1-0 away before being held to a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.
PSV has suffered defeats to Go Ahead Eagles in the past week However, Arteta does not think domestic form will impact either team's chances of success on the European stage.
"Whatever the situation in the league when you come to this stage of the [UEFA] Champions League it's something else, you feel it in the atmosphere and the energy," he added.
"You play and you are in or you are out and that gives you urgency and it gets the best out of you for sure.
"Results vary in football, what I care about is how they play; focusing on their weaknesses and how to beat them."
Arsenal's former Ajax defender Jurrien Timber said the PSV clash was an opportunity to change the narrative.
"It's an amazing competition to play in and we did really well in the league phase," he said. "I don't see it as a negative but we have been through a lot.
"It's a challenge for us and we have to take it."
Arsenal has won each of its past four games in the UEFA Champions League, scoring 13 goals and only conceding twice in the process.
It previously had a five-game win streak in a single edition was in 2005-2006, which was when it registered their best finish in the competition as runner-up.
