Arteta: Arsenal Must Use Frustration to Fuel PSG Performance

Mikel Arteta calls on Arsenal to harness their frustration from a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth to mount a comeback against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his team to channel their frustration from Saturday's 2-1 loss to Bournemouth into Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the setback, Arteta hopes to use the defeat as motivation for a strong performance against PSG.

Declan Rice celebrated his 100th Arsenal appearance with a fine goal, giving the Gunners the lead at halftime in their Premier League match against Bournemouth. The team aimed to solidify their position in second place, but ultimately fell short, setting the stage for Arteta's rallying cry ahead of the PSG match.

100th Arsenal appearance. On the scoresheet. pic.twitter.com/v6apJ1yBV7

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 3, 2025

Arsenal's chances of a smooth trip to Paris were dashed after they conceded two sloppy goals in eight second-half minutes, courtesy of Dean Huijsen and Evanilson. The loss puts them at a disadvantage ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal against PSG.

“We have created now a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “So (we must) make sure that we use that for Wednesday to have a massive performance in Paris, win the game and be in the final.” Arteta had hoped a league victory would set the tone for the crucial match, saying, “A positive result would really help us to build what we wanted towards Wednesday.”

Mikel Arteta made two changes from the team that lost to PSG, with Jurrien Timber starting in place of an absent player. Timber was withdrawn late in the first leg and didn't feature in Saturday's match against Bournemouth.

Arteta was cautious about Timber's availability for the second leg, saying, “Confident? At the moment, no, because he wasn't able to play here and we play in four days,” highlighting the tight turnaround between matches.

💬 "It's the time now to show our courage."

Mikel on turning the frustration into a positive ahead of PSG 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 3, 2025

Arsenal's team selection for the match against PSG raised eyebrows, but manager Mikel Arteta said he had little choice. With the team needing to secure Champions League spots, Arteta made decisions that might have seemed like a gamble ahead of the crucial match.

Arsenal are now under pressure, needing six points from their last three Premier League matches to guarantee a Champions League spot next season after pushing Liverpool for the title earlier in the campaign.

Arsenal face a tough run-in, traveling to Liverpool and then hosting Newcastle United, with manager Mikel Arteta acknowledging the team's dual priorities. “Mathematically we are not qualified (for next season's Champions League),” Arteta said.

“We haven't earned the right to finish second yet, so we still have a lot to do,” he added, emphasizing the importance of securing Champions League qualification through the Premier League standings.