Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the āpainā of the Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich to fuel their Premier League title bid.
Artetaās side failed to clinch a first semi-final appearance since 2009 as Joshua Kimmichās second half header gave Bayern a 1-0 second leg win and a 3-2 aggregate success.
It was a bitter evening in Munich for Arteta and his players, who had dreamed of leading Arsenal to their maiden Champions League crown.
After a blistering run carried them to the top of the Premier League and into the Champions League last eight, Arsenal have endured a nightmare week.
They were below their best in the 2-2 first leg draw with Bayern, then surrendered pole position in the Premier League after conceding two late goals in a 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.
After producing another underwhelming display in Germany, Arteta has to find a way to lift his teamās shattered morale in time for a last push for the English title.
āWe were very close, that is the reality. Itās painful, but we have to learn from this. We had our moments, especially in the first half,ā Arteta said.
āThe players gave their best, we didnāt have that magical moment that we need in the competition.
āIn the first leg, we conceded two avoidable goals, which had a significant impact on the draw.
āWe were still alive when we arrived here. The margins are so fine. A mistake or a moment makes the difference.ā
After a lengthy absence from the Champions League, Arsenal largely acquitted themselves well.
āStill beautifulā
They won their group ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla before beating Porto on the penalties in the last 16.
But Arteta conceded a lack of experience in the latter stages of the competition proved a key factor against Bayern, six-time European champions who are perennial contenders for the trophy.
āWe havenāt been in this position for 14 years, we havenāt played in the Champions League for seven years. Thereās a reason for that. Todayās match will make us better,ā he said.
āI think we have the capacity and the quality to be in the semi-final. When you look historically, it took other clubs seven, eight or 10 years to do it in the Champions League.
āItās easy to praise the players and talk nice things when we win 10 in a row and one draw (in the Premier League)
āThe moment is now to be behind them and be next to them.ā
Arsenal have little time to lick their wounds, with the title race approaching a gripping conclusion.
Artetaās side are in second place, two points behind leaders Man City.
Third placed Liverpool trail Arsenal on goal difference, with all three clubs having six games left.
With City playing Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, the Gunners have a chance to return to first place if they win at Wolves on Saturday.
Arteta has told his tired troops to embrace the opportunity to chase Arsenalās first Premier League crown for 20 years.
āWhat we have to play for (in the Premier League) is still beautiful. We have six games to go and we are two points behind City,ā he said.
āItās a very difficult schedule for everybody. We have to go through the pain tonight, and tomorrow get up and come with the same attitude that we came with here.
āI can guarantee you by tomorrow weāre fully focused on Wolves and everybody is lifted.ā
