Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to forget Europa League exit and focus on title push

Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players to forget about their European exit as they aim to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners were beaten by Sporting in a penalty shootout on Thursday as they failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Attention now switches back to domestic matters, with Arsenal aiming to move further clear at the summit.

Managerless Crystal Palace are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium and, with closest title rivals Manchester City in FA Cup action, Arteta’s side could head into the international break with a healthy lead.

“I tried to give a lot of clarity in the dressing room,” Arteta replied when asked how he makes sure his players do not take their Europa League disappointment into the title race.

“It was all about the message: accept it, swallow it, we have to learn from it but there is no point now spending one bit of energy or thought that is going to take something out of Sunday.

“We have to be at our best again in the Premier League against Palace to beat them and I want everybody just recovering mentally and physically to be in the best possible condition for the game.”