Fatigue no excuse for Arteta

MIKEL Arteta has warned Arsenal that fatigue is no excuse for their damaging stumble as he urged his side to hit back by finishing off Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg.

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VIKTOR Gyokeres has kept Arsenal ticking this season as Rodri's Manchester City remains in pursuit.

(I EPA)

Chasing a second successive appearance in the semifinals of Europe' elite club competition, Arsenal host Sporting tonight with a 1-0 lead from last weeks first-leg win in Lisbon.

But the Gunners go into the second leg in the midst of a bout of soul searching after losing three of their last four games in all competitions.

Arsenal's untimely dip cost them two chances for silverware as Manchester City won 2-0 in the League Cup final and second tier Southampton knocked them out of the FA Cup quarterfinals.

As if that wasn't frustrating enough for Arteta, Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth has endangered Arsenal's hopes of winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.