Mikel Arteta vowed to use the “fuel” of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City as a springboard to glory this season.
Arsenal’s quadruple dreams were dashed by a disappointing 2-0 loss to Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley 12 days ago.
However, the Gunners are still nine points clear in the Premier League title race and their treble hopes are still alive.
Arsenal’s defeat at Wembley raised serious questions about the club’s big-game mentality and left Arteta still awaiting his first trophy in nearly six years.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the match
But the Spaniard said: “When you didn’t manage to win that final, what you have to take on board is: ‘Okay, how is this going to make us stronger for the final push of the season?’
“That has been the mindset and the only work that we have done in the last few days, to use that as fuel, as tools, to be able to get the final push that we want and achieve what we want. And immediately, I could sense that (from the players).
“Ideally you play again the next day and when you have an international break, it is not exactly what you want. But you have to use it in the right way.
“We analysed what we did, not just on that game, but the last 120 days, the amount of matches we have played, our winning ratio and all the things we have accomplished and gave some perspective, but also being critical about what we can do better to help the players and to win in any game and in any context.
“It will make us better and now we have to use it for the most important and beautiful part of the season.”
Arteta defends Arsenal injury list
Arteta faced criticism after 10 injured Arsenal players were withdrawn across the international break, including three from England in Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, but the manager defended their stance.
“When a player is fit and able to play, he has to play. It makes us proud that we have that many players in the national teams and the players are desperate to play. We are fully supportive of that.
“We have a very good relationship and communication with most of the national teams and, as I have said, with (England boss) Thomas (Tuchel).
“We’ve been extremely supportive and when you have to communicate the state of every player, we’re always very honest and, at the end, it’s a medical decision and the conclusion was clear.”
Arsenal lining up summer move for Julian Alvarez
Arsenal-Julian-Alvarez
According to Football.London, Arsenal are considering a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez this summer, as Andrea Berta looks to build on their recent success.
The director was actually in Madrid during the international break, visiting sports agency Best Of You Sports, who represent several stars in Spain's capital, including Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.
As for Alvarez, previous reports have revealed the player is "happy" to move to London amid interest from the Gunners and Chelsea.
"Alvarez’s camp talking to Arsenal and Chelsea is no tactic, they are very serious. He is happy to move to London and join one of Europe’s biggest clubs – that is not a problem to him and that has been made clear."
Labelled "world class" by journalist Owuraku Ampofo, the Argentina international, who has scored 16 times across La Liga and the Champions League this season, is still just 26 years old, meaning his prime years are likely still to come.
Atletico are likely to demand a huge fee for their star striker, with numbers in the region of £100m quoted in recent months.