Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has dropped a subtle hint over his expectations for the remainder of the season.
A drab 0-0 draw away at top four rivals Nottingham Forest further dented Arteta’s slim chances of a Premier League title challenge.
For the second successive EPL game, the Gunners dropped key points, and leaders Liverpool responded with wins to open up a 13-point title lead.
Arteta fired a rallying message of ‘over my dead body’ when asked about giving up on the title prior to the stalemate at the City Ground.
The Spaniard reiterated his position at full-time, despite admitting Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis meant they ‘lacked a spark’ in Nottingham, but the return of the UEFA Champions League offers his side a fresh chance.
“Today we dropped two points which is very painful. But, the answer remains the same, again we have to react and we have to step up,” he said.
“We have the Champions League now, we have a beautiful competition in front of us and we need to be ready for Tuesday.”
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With Arteta’s team already eliminated from the FA Cup, they are not in action over weekend of March 1-2 and will return to the pitch on March 4 at PSV Eindhoven.
After finishing third in the Champions League’s first-ever league phase, the Gunners were granted an automatic spot in the Round of 16, where they will take on a familiar face.
Robin van Persie scored 96 EPL goals during his time in the Arsenal attack from 2004 to 2012 and he takes charge of PSV after Brian Friske’s replacement.
Arsenal’s trip to the Netherlands is a first leg clash, and they will host Van Persie’s team at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg on March 12 as Arteta aims for the quarterfinals for the second successive season.
