Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged it will be "very hard" for the Gunners to secure Champions League qualification via the Premier League after crashing out of the Europa League.
"Very hard because looking at the table we're still far from the objectives that we all have, but we've been far all season from it and we have to keep fighting," Arteta, who replaced Unai Emery in December, told reporters post-match when asked about the difficulties of reaching the top four.
"The most important thing now is that the dressing room has to be strong and we have to keep going and react. First of all, I have to convince them about what happened in the game and why they are not through in the tie.
"If they continue to do that, there will be rewards like we have done in the last 10 games that we played."
Arteta added: "I just want to concentrate now on lifting those players and getting back the belief, and convince them that there is still a lot to play for, and move on.
"It's part of this sport that a big disappointment can happen and it happened. We have to learn and react as a team and as a club."
While it was a heartbreaking evening for Arsenal, it was a memorable outing for Pedro Martins and Olympiacos.
"It's a historic night for Olympiacos. We deserved this qualification, not only for these two games against Arsenal but also for our spirited performances in Europe throughout the season regardless of the results," Martins said.
"We were determined, we believed we could qualify and we made it. Tactical intelligence, effectiveness, inner strength, courage… they all weighed in this success."
Posbikprsz
0
wellock is a.backlock of a plaayer Arteta supposed to eliminate people like him
weaaimory
1
I hate laca has a player, he is not a player that suits for Arsenal
Tetbclsz
1
arteta is good .but he make a mistake his player selection.
DilCrasher
0
1st of all before starting next season .. We have to sell off Luiz/Xhaka/Laca/Auba/Ozil/Sokratis/Bellerin and Loan off Willock/Geundozi/Pepe ... We have to revamp every position if possible .. Our midfielders and upfront wont do us good for now .. We winning by small margin like 1-0 or 2-0 .. We won 4-0 at Newcastle maybe our opponent are bad anyway .. but when we vs top 10 teams in the league i bet we wont score more than 2 goals .. Our defence all i can see is Mustafi improving every match .. Due to his injury Olypiakos score against us in the final minutes which Sokratis never mark the running man properly and led to the 119min goal .. And Leno also is to be blame ... But blaming game wont bring us nowhere .. we just have to let go some of our star players to let in other players as we are financially tight without UCL and Europa ..
Chibsoky
1
it was Arteta's fault, why on Earth would you leave lacazett on that pitch for the full time and still leave him on for first extra time?
FaithEvans
0
Bro. I understand that....but I've looked at the overall match. We lost this game because of Arteta's managerial inexperience. it showed....but I think he will learn from that. Bring Martinelli early on in the second half and this game is done and dusted. He sticked with the old guards way too long in that match....
exactly... we even play better with Nketiah than Lacazette nowadays and the players should learn how to waste time in these kinda games
Sochima92
0
He won't even start Özil at all... and he's the one who got the best out of Auba-Laca, but no criticism to Mikel anyway, I really feel Unai Emery would have at least progressed, judging by last season
Bro. I understand that....but I've looked at the overall match. We lost this game because of Arteta's managerial inexperience. it showed....but I think he will learn from that. Bring Martinelli early on in the second half and this game is done and dusted. He sticked with the old guards way too long in that match....
FaithEvans
0
It's so crazy how much negativity one defeat can bring... look at all these comments from the same people that have been praising Arteta since December, like we brought him in to win e-v-e-r-y game... don't be deluded, every season you choose to continue to support Arsenal, you're indirectly signing up to accept crazy days like this
FaithEvans
0
They are only 5 points away from 5th place. 5th place will likely go to Champions League so Arteta needs to give them more confidence.
the ban won't be upheld
FaithEvans
0
Quit the job boss ; if you want to be healthy leave Arsenal.
Wenger is fitter than ever, he's older than your granny and he still plays in testimonials... u have no point!
FaithEvans
0
Which mess bro. Get your statement right. Unai will definitely win this match. Me and You know that. He will make the right changes. I understand what Arteta tried to do....He wanted to stick with the old guards (Laca, Ozil, Pepe) to save them....but they failed him. Unai wont take that.
He won't even start Özil at all... and he's the one who got the best out of Auba-Laca, but no criticism to Mikel anyway, I really feel Unai Emery would have at least progressed, judging by last season
Peybcilmos
0
Arteta must fight against horrible referee, not given one from three penalty
Peybcilmos
0
I'm sorry but arsenal doesn't have fantasy games ,same tactics, every body can read.
ashbin14
1
lacazette what is he good at no speed,no accuracy dribbles don't get back into CL pepe
PaulPuspanathan
1
Willock I don’t know what he is good at
Sochima92
0
Arteta is a good coach....but honestly, we lost this game because of him. He had the squad to win the match and didnt make the right substitution. What was Lacazette doing in that pitch for 105 minutes no shot on target?
Sochima92
0
lacazette is a GOAT...goat as in animal
For me Laca is not good bro. We fans are most times not real. Just Imagine not having Auba this season or he is injured. Do you think Laca will be getting those goals? I can rely on Martnelli after Auba....than Laca.
Sochima92
0
Lacazette wouldn't have started the match.. he is very lazy when changing upfront where by making other place fail in there tacking role. we would have used our young boys like the likes of mat. and nke.
Exactly bro. that's the problem. I want Arteta to see this....He doesn't know how to attack spaces in the 18 box to cause defence problems. Time to recall Martinelli.
desklopstu
0
You are stupid arteta by playing willock and leave guedonzi on bench soars is fit I don't know why you don't want to start playing him this your formation of using saka left wing get to stop.. Tiernery is back and fully fit to play last night game.. Loan willock or send him back to under 23 team or sell him..he can't take you to any where.. The boy is not a baller.. You have a lot of youth players in your team.. Saka. Guedonzi. Martinelle and nketia.. Loan willock out..
Sochima92
0
Easy mikel! You have try your best for this mese has have be inherited from Unai after buying un quality players. You shouldn't have started with cebelos, pepe, leazate, and willock. Should be have been Torera, martineli, and nkaita. First up was so very poor as if they are depending that one goal which is not the case and they should learn on their mistake but you can go for a good window shoping. NB: never play pepe he like holding keeping the ball till its take away from him and cannot get it back very soon.
Which mess bro. Get your statement right. Unai will definitely win this match. Me and You know that. He will make the right changes. I understand what Arteta tried to do....He wanted to stick with the old guards (Laca, Ozil, Pepe) to save them....but they failed him. Unai wont take that.
yiwanz
1
Easy mikel! You have try your best for this mese has have be inherited from Unai after buying un quality players. You shouldn't have started with cebelos, pepe, leazate, and willock. Should be have been Torera, martineli, and nkaita. First up was so very poor as if they are depending that one goal which is not the case and they should learn on their mistake but you can go for a good window shoping. NB: never play pepe he like holding keeping the ball till its take away from him and cannot get it back very soon.
nutmegprince
0
I think the players didn't get enough rest b4 that match... fatigue was probably the main reason why... he should have gone with torreira, sokratis and Martinelli to add a little energy in the line up
madcow
0
PUBG and Freefire terms, just a joke
hahah nice
pazimopsz
0
don't be too proud Man Utd this is football.,hard luck Gunners it not the end of the world keep fighting one day we will back to old days.
Yecdlors
0
Quit the job boss ; if you want to be healthy leave Arsenal.
For what bro don't to that way too much we need to support them
badciknoru
2
I can't wait to see Olimpiarkos vs Man U
Areaking
4
pepe willock must out of our line up
fahbdeikm
3
you are building something there. just keep it up. I'm sure it will pay soon or later. As Man united fan.
voebcms
0
They are only 5 points away from 5th place. 5th place will likely go to Champions League so Arteta needs to give them more confidence.
no way city are going to remove the band at all cost.
suhbdory
0
Quit the job boss ; if you want to be healthy leave Arsenal.
Soslruz
0
lacazette is a GOAT...goat as in animal
Lacazette is our problem assuming martinelli start the March this will not happen that guy is fool
bleh2447
0
not even top6
Tuybloy
2
They are only 5 points away from 5th place. 5th place will likely go to Champions League so Arteta needs to give them more confidence.
Yehimrsuy
1
Lacazette wouldn't have started the match.. he is very lazy when changing upfront where by making other place fail in there tacking role. we would have used our young boys like the likes of mat. and nke.
Yehimrsuy
0
while should arteta start Lacazette. a player that is always at wrong place at the wrong time..if not him arsenal would have won the since first half..
Nombcikrs
0
change all those players who are wasting others like what guardiola did to city.
Nuaiklrtz
1
I know Arsenal they learn there mistake in that game, they prepare there games next time well, I don't blame any one for our loose, but I say lets wake on our mistake,
Dasilva07
0
It's high time for Dangote to take over Arsenal. Kroenke has made us fans to suffer a lot. If the take over will be successful, Arteta will have funds to sign Good & World Class players. Though we've started the decade on a low note...there's hope
Raedksy
0
Arteta should just shut up his mouth, because he knew Arsenal doesn't have a good squad and it needs total over hauling of which the owner and the management board are not willing to spend, yet he agrees to sign for the job. so he should be ready to bear whatever he sees.
You have the same choice he has so get over it. Go and watch school soccer where they want not to count the goals because it can upset the players and parents.
Abdukadirmisir
0
Arteta should drop Luiz and stop stepping Willock onto pitch and subing Dani for Lucas. Bring in Pablo Mari in position of Luiz, instead of willock Gabi should be stepped and Xhaka should be subbed for Lucas or Dani.
Liccmsuy
0
Arteta has taken the UEFA. ban to Arsenal 😆😆😆😆
Vezonic22
1
Glad you know that Arteta; at least console the team sooner than later.
lipiklp
0
Arteta's Substitutions continues, why was Lacazette kept on for that long? Xhaka another nonsense with his back passing should have been hooked out just right after the half time. bring in Martinelli & Toriera respectively. Willock shouldn't have stepped onto that pitch. Arteta take long to substitutes and in most of the times does wrong Substitutions.
damilareeee
0
You better fight wolve for Europer and forget about top4[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Nohabiortz
0
Arteta should just shut up his mouth, because he knew Arsenal doesn't have a good squad and it needs total over hauling of which the owner and the management board are not willing to spend, yet he agrees to sign for the job. so he should be ready to bear whatever he sees.
exactly mate
ishti
3
With right investment and little pruning Arsenal will be back next season.
Bioackmoy
7
'Every dog has its day' so I just wish Arsenal cm back stronger with Artete's on the wheel. Best of luck gunner
nazeefi
1
lacazette is a GOAT...goat as in animal
juycelmpy
1
Arteta should just shut up his mouth, because he knew Arsenal doesn't have a good squad and it needs total over hauling of which the owner and the management board are not willing to spend, yet he agrees to sign for the job. so he should be ready to bear whatever he sees.
Unicorn93
0
It is not very hard it is impossible for arsenal to finish in top 4 this season