Mikel Arteta has demanded that Arsenal fans “create the best atmosphere” against north London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night – as he aims to salvage their stuttering season.
The Gunners clash with their close neighbours after what has been a tricky week. Arteta’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup clash before seeing their FA Cup journey ended by Manchester United.
Already seven points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League crown, they could certainly do with a morale-boosting win against Spurs. And Arteta claims that fans have a crucial role to play in the game after noticing a number of early exits against Newcastle and United.
Speaking ahead of the clash, the Spaniard said: “There are a lot of things that happen which are very difficult to control and to understand. But there are ones that are in our hands. Let’s create the best atmosphere that the Emirates has seen. This is something that is in our hands. And if we want it, we will create it.
“The players and staff are the first ones to embrace that and hopefully the fans will follow us because it is crucial for Tottenham and the rest of the matches this season.
“The amount of points is not tangible and I cannot describe how much it helps the narrative, and the energy across the club. We have experienced it before: a negative one and a positive one. And what was the outcome? So it is our choice.”
Arsenal have enjoyed a positive run against their fierce rivals over recent seasons. They have not lost to Spurs since a 3-0 defeat in May 2022.
That run includes four wins against Tottenham, while Arsenal also ran out victorious earlier this season – Gabriel’s goal securing a 1-0 success away from home back in September. And Arsenal have never been afraid to laud it over their rivals.
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Former midfielder and current coach Jack Wilshere publicly called out Spurs as Arsenal toasted their FA Cup success in 2015. He was fined £40,000 by the FA and that incident has stuck in Arteta’s mind since.
He added: “I do remember having a few conversations with Jack Wilshere about it (the rivalry with Tottenham) because Jack was very passionate. And we all know that. He made it very public a few times. And that video went very viral. That is something that has stuck in my head from a player’s perspective.”
Following their clash with Spurs, Arsenal then face a further two crucial fixtures. They welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Saturday ahead of a Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb a few days later.
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