Arteta Calls on Arsenal Squad to Concentrate on Brentford Following Major Champions League Victory

Arsenal are riding high after their Champions League triumph over Real Madrid, with manager Mikel Arteta encouraging his team to carry that energy into their Premier League home clash against Brentford this Saturday.

The Gunners pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory against the reigning Champions League holders on Tuesday, and Arteta is eager for the squad to shift their focus back to the Premier League, where they currently sit 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

“The energy has been unbelievable; it was a special night. That’s behind us now. Our complete focus is on Brentford, as it’s going to require our utmost effort,” Arteta stated during a press conference on Friday.

“It’s not about bringing them back down to earth; it’s about preserving that energy and channelling it into the game against Brentford. They have an impressive story of their own and deserve immense credit.”

With a busy schedule looming, including the match against 12th-placed Brentford and a Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Arteta confirmed he will rotate players based on the fixtures rather than the opponents.

“We’ll assess how the players have recovered, because it’s not only about the Real Madrid match; it’s about the upcoming schedule as well,” Arteta explained.

“This is our reality — playing every three days in various competitions at the highest level. Competing in Europe and then facing another challenge in the Premier League.”

“If we aspire to be a team capable of winning in any scenario, we need to perform consistently every three days regardless of the context.”

Arteta indicated that both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are fit after sustaining knocks in the match against Real, while he refrained from setting a timeline for the return of defender Riccardo Calafiori, who injured his knee last month.

The 43-year-old also suggested that midfielder Kai Havertz could be returning sooner than expected, having undergone surgery for a hamstring injury in February.

“The mentality of both Saka and Havertz is quite similar. They have a strong history of managing injuries, an excellent work ethic, and are eager to return as soon as possible, supported by a fantastic medical team,” he remarked.

“We’re hopeful about Havertz’s return, but let’s remain patient. The final stage of rehab is crucial for understanding when that last step can be taken.”