Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of not dwelling on the team's recent setbacks, including injuries and William Saliba's suspension, as they prepare for the critical match against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Saliba will be unavailable due to his red card received in last weekend's unexpected loss to Bournemouth, and Arteta is concerned about the fitness of several key players.
Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are all racing against the clock to be ready for Liverpool's visit to the Emirates Stadium.
“We will do everything possible to have them available, but the situation remains uncertain,” Arteta informed reporters on Friday.
Additionally, the Gunners have been without captain Martin Odegaard since he sustained an injury while on international duty in early September.
Taking on a strong Liverpool side without several key players presents a significant challenge, yet Arteta is confident that his team will meet it head-on.
“This is the match we have ahead. While we didn’t wish to find ourselves in this predicament, we are fortunate to have a capable squad. We must not feel sorry for ourselves,” Arteta stated.
“In many instances, it has been a matter of unfortunate luck, which is hard to manage. Our focus should be on our response. The team needs to possess the mental resilience to adapt to these circumstances.
“We have faced tough and demanding situations before, but I don’t consider this one of them.
“We are a strong team and understand how challenging we can be for our opponents. We possess the ruthless mentality that I admire.”
Arsenal, currently in third place, trails Liverpool by four points after falling behind Arne Slot's team last weekend.
Following their first defeat in all competitions since April, Arsenal managed a lackluster 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.
While Saliba was available to play against Shakhtar, the absence of his strong partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes could be significant in the upcoming match against Liverpool.
Ben White is a potential candidate to shift from right-back to partner Gabriel in the center of Arsenal's defense.
“It’s true that the partnership (with Saliba and Gabriel) has been very stable. There are other players who have played there before, so we need to find a solution,” Arteta stated.
Liverpool has made a strong impression in Slot’s inaugural season after the former Feyenoord manager took over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Reds have secured 11 victories out of 12 matches across all competitions, with their only defeat occurring against Nottingham Forest.
Arteta acknowledges that Slot has benefited from a talented squad and a robust culture, extending from the dressing room to the boardroom.
“In my opinion, they are one of the best teams of the last decade. They are experiencing a truly exceptional phase, thanks to their infrastructure and players,” he remarked.
“Arne Slot has taken over a team that was already successful. He has added his own influence. You can see his impact. When you look at that team, you can tell they are going to be serious contenders.”