AFC Bournemouth visit league leaders Arsenal, and Iraola knows his side must be on top form if they are to get a result at the Emirates.
The boss explained that Bournemouth must match their hosts’ intensity and focus to remain in the contest, otherwise it will be a difficult afternoon – but that is easier said than done.
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“I think there is a part where you cannot lie to the players, it's going to be very difficult,” he told the Daily Echo.
Mikel Arteta and Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)
“They are top. So we need at least to match their level of intensity, of discipline. It's a team that I think haven't conceded a penalty all the season, haven't had a red card all the season.
“It's not about the referee decisions, it's because they are so focused that they don't make these kinds of mistakes.
“So you have to be at that level of mentality, of focus, of living the game. And then it's a matter of obviously being more clinical than them, playing better than them.
“But the first part is not as easy as it sounds, because they are a team that doesn't give you anything.
“They don't make mistakes. They don't concede set plays. They don't give you cheap goals.
Evanilson scored for the Cherries in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal. (Image: Richard Crease)
“So basically everything you have to earn it. So at least we have to make them do the same. You want to score, you have to be very good and earn your goal.
“Even the game they lost against United, it’s two worldies, I think it's Dorgu and Cunha from the outside of the box, and then one mistake they make.
“But it's like you need the moment of someone hitting the ball from far and putting it top corner. But to have this chance, we have to do all the ugly stuff first.”
Iraola said tactically they know what to expect from the Gunners.
“It's not a team that is changing a lot their structure and they are basically playing the same system for a lot of seasons,” he said.
Andoni Iraola greets Mikel Arteta. (Image: Richard Crease)
“We know what to expect. It's true that they are quite fluid, they are quite aggressive with the full-backs, they interchange a lot the three in the middle, it changes a little bit if it's Odegaard or if it's someone like more a second striker like Havertz or Eze.
“It changes a little bit, but more or less we know what to expect. The problem is they are very good doing it and they also know very well us.
“They also have Kepa, that if they have any doubt, he's very smart also and he knows the things that we do. Tactically we know what to expect. After, you have to win your duels.”
AFC Bournemouth travel to Arsenal on Saturday, April 11, kick off at 12.30pm.