LONDON, United Kingdom, October 21 – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called on his side to use the “pain” of their first defeat in six months as motivation for their Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Gunners lost ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday after they were beaten 2-0 at Bournemouth following William Saliba’s red card. Arteta was visibly frustrated on the sidelines as his team dominated possession but failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Arsenal had been on a 20-game unbeaten streak, but that came to a crashing halt at the Vitality Stadium. The defeat not only dented their title hopes but also exposed the team’s vulnerability in the absence of key players.

“We have to learn from this,” Arteta said in the post-match press conference. “We have to use the pain to motivate ourselves and respond quickly.”

Arsenal will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday, a game that will test their resolve and character. Arteta knows that his team needs to bounce back quickly to keep their title hopes alive.

“We have to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that we didn’t deserve to win,” Arteta said. “But we have to move on and focus on the next game. We can’t dwell on this defeat.”

The Gunners will be without William Saliba for the Shakhtar Donetsk game, as he will serve a one-match suspension following his red card. Arteta will need to find a suitable replacement to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in central defense.

Arteta has always emphasized the importance of having a strong team dynamic and collective spirit. He believes that his team can overcome this setback and come back stronger.

“We have to support each other and pick ourselves up,” Arteta said. “We can’t let this defeat define us. We have to learn from our mistakes and move forward.”

The Arsenal boss has urged his players to respond quickly and put the Bournemouth defeat behind them. With a crucial Champions League game looming, Arteta knows that his team needs to be at their best.

“We have to use this pain to fuel our performance against Shakhtar Donetsk,” Arteta said. “We have to come out stronger and more determined than ever.”

Only time will tell if Arsenal can respond to Arteta’s plea and get their season back on track. One thing is certain – they can’t afford to dwell on this defeat and must move forward quickly.