Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal team to show “what they are made of” after seeing their Premier League title bid stutter and their Champions League hopes dashed.

The Gunners crashed out of Europe at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday as the German side earned a 3-2 aggregate quarter-final victory.

That loss came hot on the heels of a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the league, but Arsenal have the chance to return to the summit by beating Wolves on Saturday, with leaders Manchester City in FA Cup semi-final action against Chelsea.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Molineux, Arteta said: “It’s been an experience, not the best one.

“We’re fully focused on the times we have ahead of us with six games to go.

“The context is clear, if we win we go top of the league, you don’t need anything else to be motivated.”

Arsenal are without a win in their last three games in all competitions, having drawn the first leg against Bayern.

“It is what it is and we have to accept it,” Arteta added.

“The Bayern one at home at the beginning, it could have been different. Against Villa we were the better team, but in the second half we paid the price for the chances we gave them and we have to move on from there.

“Now it is about showing against Wolves what we are made of and turning the situation around.”

Arteta thanked his players for all they have achieved so far this season.

He said: “I’m fully behind them. Thank you so much for the journey together, thank you for being in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and being so close.

“Thank you for competing against the best team in Premier League history (Manchester City) and the best team in the competition in the last eight years with Liverpool and we’re in with a chance to win it.

“Thank you so much for everything they have done, because it is unbelievable.”

At Molineux, Arsenal will face a Wolves side who are without a win in their last four league matches, but Arteta praised the job manager Gary O’Neil has done since taking over last summer.

He said: “He’s done unbelievable, so well. You can see by the way they’re coached, the spirit of the team, the difficulty they create for every opponent, they’re a really good side and it will be tough tomorrow.”

Hamstring operation puts Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes in doubt

Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes have suffered a major blow after the Scotland and Everton right-back was told he needs an operation.

Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the domestic season after suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea on Monday.

The news will be a serious concern for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, who also has a major doubt over Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey’s fitness.

Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Patto will be out for the season, he will need surgery. It’s a very unfortunate injury. We’re disappointed in that one, for him as much as us as well.

“It’s a shame for Patto, he came on and looked sharp the other night, he’s been training really well, just getting back to where I think he can be – because I think he’s a very good player – and he’s very unfortunate with a really awkward fall.

“He won’t make another game this season, I’m sure.”

When asked about Patterson’s hopes of playing in the European Championship, Dyche said: “I don’t know on the medical side of the times other than this season, as in playing for us.

“But he will have surgery, so we hope that goes well and then it’s how quickly it settles, I’m sure.”

Hickey has not played since October – he also suffered a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge – and is unlikely to play for Brentford again this season, but has not given up hope of making the Euros.

Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has been in recent squads while versatile Bristol City player Ross McCrorie, who has featured at right-back in his career, was also a late call-up recently.

Clarke suffered a major blow earlier in the week when it was revealed that in-form Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson had suffered cruciate ligament damage, ruling him out of the summer tournament in Germany.

There was better news for Clarke from Norwich this week when it was revealed Grant Hanley is expected to return to training next week.

The defender pulled out of the Scotland squad for recent friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland after suffering a setback following his recent return from a long-term Achilles injury.

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Virgil van Dijk explains why Liverpool couldn't mount Europa League comeback
Liverpool knocked out of Europa League by Atalanta at quarter-final stage
Reds beaten 3-1 on aggregate and failed to overturn three-goal deficit from first leg
Virgil van Dijk explained reasons for his side not mounting another European comeback

By Sean Walsh
Apr 19, 2024
Liverpool are out of Europe
Liverpool are out of Europe / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes his side gave themselves too much to do in order to complete a comeback in their Europa League quarter-final with Atalanta, though they did not make life any easier in the second leg with their impatience.

The Reds were among the strong favourites to go all the way in this season's Europa League but have been dumped out at the last-eight stage following a 3-1 aggregate defeat.


Atalanta pulled off a stunning 3-0 win at Anfield last week, but the hosts' nerves were jangling when Mohamed Salah scored an early penalty during the second leg back in Bergamo. However, Liverpool did not add to that goal and their dream of securing one last European trophy in the Jurgen Klopp era has ended.

Mohamed Salah
Salah's penalty gave Liverpool hope / Dan Mullan/GettyImages
Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, Van Dijk admitted Atalanta were deserving of their place in the semi-finals.

"First, credit to Atalanta, the damage was done last week and we were very poor," a deflated Van Dijk said. "They had the perfect game and they deserved to go through. We made it far too difficult for ourselves last week.

"Today was a good game, a great fight and we won but it does not feel like it. It's an improvement but the reality is that we are out and we have to very quickly turn this around and travel to London on Sunday [to face Fulham]. We all have a responsibility to be ready for it physically and mentally. We are disappointed to be out of the competition as we really wanted to win it.

"We need everyone for the last push and that is the feeling that I am getting now. We tried to [capitalise on the early goal]. We had some opportunities as well. Maybe at times, we wanted to play too quickly and everyone was keen to get the second and eventually then the third. Overall, it was a better game than last week but it wasn't enough."

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