Mikel Arteta has emphasized that he’s not focusing on the possibility of Arsenal winning the quadruple, although he expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities that have arisen following Friday’s Champions League draw.
The Gunners are set to compete against Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with a potential quarterfinal clash looming against either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon, if they advance.
Currently, Arsenal is in contention in all competitions, leading the Premier League and gearing up for next month’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, with an FA Cup fifth-round match against League One side Mansfield Town on the horizon.
“We are really excited about competing on four fronts, and the team’s consistent performances give us hope and positive thoughts on what lies ahead,” Arteta remarked.
“However, we must concentrate on the present, as that is where we will direct our energy—on Sunday,” he added.
When asked if he had entertained thoughts about the potential for a quadruple victory, Arteta responded, “Not really; I don’t focus much on the outcome. I prioritize what we need to do to maintain our current trajectory as a team, and from there, we aim to improve.”
“Achieving the quadruple? It’s been done, which shows how challenging it is. Let’s take it one game at a time and strive to earn our place in the later stages of each competition, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Discussions about the quadruple have increased following a significant mood shift after last weekend’s 4-1 victory at Tottenham.
Prior to that, Arsenal had dropped points against Wolves, letting a 2-0 lead slip in a 2-2 draw against the last-place team. Arteta indicated that he is learning to better manage his emotions during this critical period.
“It’s something I need to work on; otherwise, it becomes chaotic if you’re fluctuating between happiness and sadness every day. You must strive for stability,” Arteta explained. “You can’t perform your best with that kind of unpredictability. I aim to be critical yet analytical about our actions, always striving to improve.”
“I try to remain as stable as possible, keeping a perspective on the impact of results and performances, both within the group and outwardly, while always maintaining a positive outlook.”
Kai Havertz is expected to return to training tomorrow, while Max Dowman will feature for Arsenal’s Under-21s against Ipswich Town later today.
Arteta also stated, “Let’s see” regarding Ben White’s availability.