Arsenal can arrest deficit, says Arteta

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta said it is still possible for his team to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League.

The 29-year-old was part of Arsene Wenger’s side who were humiliated on Wednesday, losing 4-0 away to Serie A leaders AC Milan.

Despite the uphill task that awaits the Londoners in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta said first-half goals could give his team a chance of pulling off a remarkable comeback.

The Spaniard told the Evening Standard: “Never say never in football. If we score two goals in the first half at the Emirates then it is game on.”

The state of the San Siro pitch was a major talking point of the contest, but the former Everton midfielder refused to use it as an excuse for his side’s poor performance.

“There is nothing we can do about the pitch. It was absolutely awful – you had no control at all. They are more used to it because they play here every week but I don’t think we need excuses,” Arteta said.

“They were the better team and deserved to win. We go to London with a really disappointing result.”

“Everything became difficult after the first goal. They scored three goals on the counter-attack. It is difficult to take in and we have to change our mindset. We have another tough game on Saturday (at Sunderland in the FA Cup).”