Mikel Arteta hopeful injury-plagued Arsenal can still find 'new gears' | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is optimistic that Arsenal can still reach a "different level" in the final stretch of the season, despite missing a several key players through injury.

The Gunners are out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and have handed Liverpool the chance to open a double-digit lead in the Premier League title race by dropping points in their last two games.

Arsenal have had to fight on without starting forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, as well as chief alternative Gabriel Jesus. Saka and Martinelli are expected to be back in the coming weeks, but Havertz won't return until pre-season and Jesus perhaps November.

It has been down to those who remain to pick up the slack in the meantime.

Ahead of this week's Champions League last 16 first leg against PSV Eindhoven, Arteta was asked about what he can do to bring more out of players amid disappointing recent results. "[We] try to explain how we're going to do it and why we do things, and they try to deliver that in the best possible way," he said.

"In the last two results it's been very different, in terms of performance as well, not getting the right result that we want, but we've certainly been better, especially in the last game with the opposition.

Arteta has called on his available players to find new levels / Harry Murphy/GettyImages

"And the fact we still have gears, even with the players that we have, some of them have gears to take us to a different level. When it comes to that stage, it's about lifting the level and the standards, every individual has to be at their best. When we do that, with the team that we have and the connection we have between us, we are a really strong team."

Arteta suggested that the most important things is for him, his staff, and players to be able to put setbacks quickly behind them and focus on the next task, which this week is PSV.

"It's part of our job. The moment that you have a result, it's hurting but it has to last 24 hours because then you have to move on and face the next game and the preparation,” he said.

"You cannot get away from that, that’s a big quality of a coach or any player at this level because in three days' time, you're going to have another match, and emotionally and physically, you're going to have to be ready for it."