Manager Mikel Arteta stated on Monday that Arsenal will draw strength from their first Premier League loss of the year when they host Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s league season unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Saturday as they lost 2-0 against Bournemouth.
With 17 points, they are now third in the rankings, four points behind champions Liverpool and three behind Manchester City.
After a goalless draw in their first game against Atalanta and a 2-0 triumph at home over Paris St. Germain, Arteta’s team will take on Shakhtar on Tuesday.
With four points from two games, they are currently ranked 13th in the new Champions League format.
After Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were sent off earlier in the season, Arsenal’s third red card in eight league games came via the dismissal of William Saliba at Bournemouth.
Arsenal has lost points each time they have been reduced to 10 men.
“We cannot continue to play with 10 men, easier to say it then to get it done in the specific moment,” Arteta told reporters on Monday.
“Reacting (after) we had a defeat (but under) very specific conditions. Let’s move on, take that pain we have and use it tomorrow night.
“We need to eradicate the issue (of red cards), it’s clear. The reasons, how – it doesn’t matter. We have to focus.”
After suffering a 3-0 loss to Atalanta and a goalless draw against Bologna, Shakhtar is without a win in the Champions League.
The club moved out of Donetsk ten years ago when pro-Russian separatists took control of a sizable portion of the area, so they had to get used to playing away from home.
Two days prior to their domestic league match against Kryvbas in early September, a Russian missile struck their hotel.
“There is obviously a lot of sympathy for the situation they are in and how can I imagine.
“The incredible attitude they have towards the situation (in Ukraine) due to the war,” Arteta said.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino added: “I cannot even imagine what they must be feeling or what life is like for them… we will try to host them in the best manner possible.”
