Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal priorities clear after PSV Eindhoven Champions League draw
Arsenal will face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16 next month with Mikel Arteta expecting a difficult test but his full attention is on this weekend's clash with West Ham
by Alan Smith · The MirrorMikel Arteta is expecting a "very difficult" test from PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League with no risk of Arsenal looking at the carrot of a potential blockbuster last-eight clash against champions Real Madrid.
The Gunners have been drawn against the Dutch club in the round of 16 with Atletico or Real Madrid awaiting the winners in the quarter-finals.
The sides met in last season's group stage with Arsenal winning 4-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away, when they had already secured their progression to the knockout stages.
Arteta said: "We have played against them, they are a really good team. It'll be very difficult like any other Champions League draw we could have gotten. We know what we're facing. At this stage every team is very, very good."
Arsenal host West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday knowing that a win would take them five points behind leaders Liverpool, who do not face champions Manchester City until Sunday afternoon.
Graham Potter has won just one of his first six games in charge of the Hammers, though they are 10 points clear of relegation. But Arteta is expecting another tough test.
"We have to do our job. It'll be a tough one tomorrow against West Ham. Then we'll look at that game on Sunday. There's still a lot of games to play. It's difficult for everyone to win football matches," he said. "I see an opportunity for us to keep winning."
Asked if he will be "glued to the TV" on Sunday and hoping former boss Pep Guardiola can do him a favour, Arteta added: "I'm glued to tomorrow's game. My full focus is on that. Relax (watching on TV)? No. You can't relax with games that interfere with our ability to win big trophies."
Arteta provided no significant update on the injury front, although defender Ben White is available.
"No real news to be fair. The ones who are long-term remain unavailable. The rest available. Ben is ready to play. He's certainly available now to be part of the group."
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