Arteta urges fans to support ‘like animals’ ahead of clash against Brentford

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has urged the club’s fans to support the team like animals ahead of the clash against Brentford. The Gunners will face Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The table toppers currently have five points more than second-placed Manchester City. Last week, Arsenal were able to beat Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich (in Champions League) but could only manage a draw at Chelsea.

“It is an opportunity tomorrow at 7.30 p.m. — everybody, 7.30 p.m. kick off — to be at the Emirates, bouncing and putting energy to win the game,” Arteta told a news conference on Tuesday.

“That’s the opportunity we have tomorrow. 7.30 p.m. Like animals, everybody at the Emirates, to go again and beat Brentford. [This game is] vital, massive. Our motivation comes from preparation, how we try to prepare to be better than the opposition.

“And where we are in the league and what we are doing, I don’t think we need any more motivation than that.”

Arteta revealed that William Saliba and Leandro Trossard have been sidelined for a matter of days. Furthermore, Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz are out for weeks.

On Saliba, Arteta said: “He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow.

“The ankle one [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He tried at Anfield, he wasn’t comfortable and he had to stay away. This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.”

Arsenal have played without the services of players like Gabriel Jesus, Havertz, Martin Ødegaard and Viktor Gyökeres in the ongoing season but have managed to do well. 

“The attitude towards it and the way the players are performing and giving everything they can has been the key of the season because we have to deal with a lot already,” Arteta added.

“I think every game that we play, when you look at the intensity in the Premier League against any opponent, what is needed is incredible.

“Brentford bring different threats, different challenges, and you need to dominate that if you want to win the game.”