Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his players to “know how much he loves them” despite Saturday’s shock 1-0 loss away to relegation batters Everton in the Premier League.
The upset defeat means Arsenal’s five-point lead at the summit could be trimmed by Manchester City when they face Tottenham on Sunday.
The Gunners were downed after James Tarkowski’s headed goal on the hour in new Everton boss Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
“I want the team to know how much I love them,” Arteta responded when asked what he wants the team to do in the next game.
“I love them much more now than three hours ago, a week ago, month ago, three months ago. Its very easy to be next to the players when they are winning and performing.
“This is the moment I love my players more, the staff more and now we stick together. This journey is going to be difficult and challenging, and theres going to be bigger stones in the middle that were going to have to overcome that.
“And now were going to prepare really well in the week to get to Saturday in the right emotional level and right spirit to be perfect.”
The result comes ahead of Arsenal’s clash with City on February 15, while they meet Brentford prior to that in a period where the pressure of being the leaders may begin to be felt.
“The best way to do (respond) it is to understand who we are, why weve gotten to where we are and then start to do all the basic things right, play the way we want to play, and how to do it better individually and collectively,” Arteta said.
“Then youll earn the right to win games.
“You can try a lot of things on the pitch to try and deserve to win the game.”
