Arteta issues rallying cry after Arsenal wobble

Mikel Arteta promised that Arsenal would play with “courage and conviction” for the rest of the season after their surprise defeat by Manchester United slowed their Premier League title charge.

Arsenal, who remain four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, host Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Wednesday, aiming to complete the tournament’s league phase with a perfect record.

The Gunners, who have seven wins out of seven in Europe this season, have already secured a place in the last 16, meaning they avoid a potentially tricky play-off next month.

They are also still alive in both domestic cup competitions.

Arsenal boss Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday about his team’s reaction to Sunday’s surprise 3-2 defeat against United — a first home loss of the season.

“The reaction has been excellent,” said the Spaniard. “We took a moment to bring the temperature down, to pause and to reflect and ask two questions.

“One is, how do we feel and how do I feel myself? And then, how we are going to live the next four months?

“And it was so encouraging and beautiful because what came out of that is very simple — we have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions.”

Arsenal’s slip-up against Michael Carrick’s resurgent United followed 0-0 draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

But Arteta promised that the Gunners would be fearless as they chase a first Premier League title since 2004.

“In the next four months, we are going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we are going to win it,” he said.

“And this is going to be the mindset and where we are going to put the energy and I’m just hoping that everybody that is related to this club, especially our supporters, jump on the boat.”

William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are not available to face Almaty due to “slight niggles” while Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are suspended.