Arteta on the importance of providing energy

Last weekend’s setback at Everton was our second successive defeat in all competitions - the first time we’ve lost back-to-back games this season.

While Mikel Arteta was frustrated with the result, the boss has been pleased with the team’s reaction on the training ground - and says they are fully focused on a positive response when Brentford visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

“In football, you’re going to lose football matches,” the boss said in his press conference. “The match we lost at City was very different to the one we lost against Everton.

“Losing brings a lot of opportunities to look at other things and the reaction of the team. The reaction of the team has been superb this week… we sat together, discussed the game and what happened. The opponent played their part and you have to congratulate Everton for what they did on the day.

“It’s true that there were things we didn’t do like in other games and that’s the reason you lose football matches. There’s always an opportunity to bounce back, show the character that we have and how much we want what we are fighting for.

“I’m an energy giver. I don’t like energy suckers - I just like to give it. I like people who give energy in many different ways. That can be through body language, tone of voice, looking for solutions and not excuses. [I bring] energy - a lot of energy.”