Arteta Hopes Champions League Will Kick Arsenal Into Top Gear

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his injury-ravaged side can still challenge for Champions League glory ahead of Tuesdays last 16, first leg trip to PSV Eindhoven. The Gunners hopes of a first Premier League title for 21 years look to have disappeared after losing 1-0 at home to West Ham and being held 0-0 at Nottingham Forest in their last two matches to fall 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Arsenals lack of firepower is understandable with all of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sidelined by injury.

Midfielder Mikel Merino has had to deputise as a makeshift striker in recent weeks, but Arteta insists there is still better to come from his side.

Without the luxury of a free-flowing attack, Arsenal can at least lean on the Premier Leagues meanest defence and one of the best in the Champions League so far this season. Only Inter Milan conceded fewer than Arsenals three goals as they finished third in the eight-game league phase.

Arsenal managed just one shot on target against Forest and two in the shock defeat to lowly West Ham. But Jurrien Timber believes they do have the firepower to see off the Dutch champions.