Mikel Arteta responds to nervous Arsenal fans ahead of Aston Villa showdown | OneFootball

Arteta feeling nervous energy inside Emirates Stadium but wants Gunners to harness emotion in title race

Mikel Arteta says he wants to use the nervous energy of crowd at Emirates Stadium to push Arsenal on in the title race, ahead of a huge game against Aston Villa.

The Gunners beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday to stay two points clear at the top of the Premier League, but what should have been a comfortable win was anything but.

Arteta's side went 2-0 up just after half-time and looked on course to cruise to a big win before Diego Gomez scored in the 64th minute to set up a nervy finish.

Home fans were clearly tense and Arteta was asked afterwards if he could feel their energy.

Next up for Arsenal is a huge game against unlikely title rivals Aston Villa

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Arteta said: “When you just conceded in the last minute in the game before, against Crystal Palace, after we didn't really concede nothing (chances), and then they score with the first shot that they had, obviously it is (nervous).

“But we have to be able to go through that as well with normality, showing composure and understanding that, OK, if you don't do that well, if you are not efficient in the opponent's box, then you have to be incredibly good in your own. That's a good way as well to go through that.”

Asked if it is sustainable to be emotional in games, Arteta said: “Yes, from my side, yes.”

Despite their excellent recent form, winning seven of their last ten games in all competitions, Arsenal have not won a Premier League game by more than one goal since they beat Brentford 2-0 on December 3.

On why the crowd might be nervy, Arteta said: "It's the willingness to win. We all want to win so badly, that it's like 'No, I don't want to lose what I have.'

“We have to play to continue to score and show that composure and that ability, and we should have scored the third one. We had two massive chances to put it to 3-1 and then it would have been different. We didn't, so we have to suffer a little bit more."

Arsenal face Villa on Tuesday in what feels like a huge game for a few reasons.

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has a decent record against his former club and Villa also beat Arsenal only three weeks ago.

If they were to win again on Tuesday, the two clubs would be level on points.