Mikel Arteta insists ‘results are the only important thing’ as Arsenal prepare for their Europa League quarter-final second leg with Slavia Prague.
Arsenal head into the return fixture with the Czech champions needing to secure a positive away result, having conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at the Emirates in the first meeting.
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Slavia are unbeaten domestically in 26 league fixtures this season and have eliminated both Leicester and Rangers on their way to last eight, with Arteta anticipating another difficult encounter against a side in confident mood.
Arsenal have struggled for consistency this season by contrast and sit ninth in the Premier League, though the Europa League provides the north London side with a chance of silverware and Champions League qualification.
However, Arteta insists his side must ‘earn’ their place in the semi-finals tomorrow evening and says ‘results are the only important thing’ as Arsenal bid to show ‘tangible’ improvement under his guidance.
“We have a chance to go into semi-final of European competition, which is exactly where this club has to be,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“We have to earn that.
“Results help convince people you are going in the right direction – absolutely.
“The only tangible thing is results. Internally, you know what you are doing but externally results are the only important thing.”
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