Arsenal secured a composed 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, continuing a run that has kept them competitive across every competition.
It was a game that showed control and discipline from the hosts but more than that it also highlighted the bigger picture surrounding their season as fixtures pile up at the Emirates stadium and rivals like Manchester City playing fewer games after Pep Guardiola’s side were eliminated from this season’s UCL by Real Madrid.
So questions will surely be around fatigue and momentum the deeper Arsenal go into the season. But the message from inside Arsenal’s camp appears clear, focus remains firmly internal.
Matt Upson tells Arteta & Co to ignore Man City concern
Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson spoke about the Manchester City concern as the Cityzens now play lesser games then Arsenal going into the final stretch of the season. He said: “At the moment, Arsenal are doing what they need to do to hold themselves up and get themselves in a position to be competitive and win nearly every game and that’s what they’ve done.
“By different ways and in different manners, they were more at it tonight, they really did suffocate Leverkusen. In other games, they haven’t been but they’re getting it done.
“Worrying that Manchester City had two less games because they are out of the Champions League, they can’t control it. All they’ll be thinking about is themselves right now.”
The fact that Manchester City have lesser games adds an important layer to the season (given they are pushing Arsenal to deep into the Premier League season as the Gunners look to claim the English top tier). And fewer game means they will get that physical advantage in the coming weeks.
But as Upson pointed out, that is outside Arsenal’s control. Their approach need to be simple and that is to focus on their own performances, maintain the high standards that they have all season, and keep winning.
That mindset could prove decisive in both domestic and European competitions.
