‘I’m going to defend them more than ever’ – Arteta on defeat to Southampton and Gabriel’s injury | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says he will defend his Arsenal players “more than ever” after their shock FA Cup defeat to Southampton.

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by the Championship side to exit the FA Cup at the quarter final stage.

But Arteta has backed his players to respond immediately, with a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP up next.

“I love my players,” Arteta said after the defeat.

“What they’ve done for nine months, what am I going to do, criticise them now because they lost a game here? In the manner that they tried and the way they are putting their bodies through everything? Some of them probably didn’t have to be here today.

“I’m not going to do that. I’m going to defend them more than ever. If someone has to take responsibility, that’s me, and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.

“In a season, you always have (difficult) moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have had with a certain level of difficulty.

“We say difficulty, but we’re going to play the Champions League quarter finals and the run in for the league. If this is a difficult period, I believe there are many other ones that are much more difficult.

“So stand up, make yourself accountable, and deliver like we have been doing all season.”

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In a further blow for Arsenal, defender Gabriel was forced off injured during the game and Arteta says he will be assessed to determine how serious the issue is.

“I don’t know, he felt something, I don’t know exactly what it is,” he said.

“We’re going to have to assess him but obviously when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news.”

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