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It is undoubtedly a very tough and testing time for everyone at the club.
But Mikel Arteta says he is learning more and more about some of our rising stars, and how they are handling the pressure.
“It’s part of what they have to do and what they have to go through to become really important players for this football club,” he said.
“You have to see how people react in difficult moments and they have to experience it themselves, to get through these difficult moments and how they’re going to handle that pressure.
“If they are able to do that, they have to handle good moments and how they handle that to continue performing at the level that is required here. So it’s another experience for them and I must say that they have been much more mature, responsible and efficient than I was expecting. So in my opinion, they are doing really well.”
Gabriel Martinelli made his comeback against Everton at the weekend, but Arteta says it is unfair to expect to rescue our league form alone.
“We cannot put that pressure [of being the club’s saviour] on his shoulders,” the manager said. “It’s not fair for him.
“He brings that enthusiasm that the fans can see because he’s got something special, a special energy every time he steps on that field. But remember that Gabi, what he’s done in the Premier League the time that he’s been with us is very limited. Let him develop, like we are doing with many other young kids that we have here.
“Yes [there is pressure on him to deliver] but it’s the same with many other young players that are probably taking more responsibility than perhaps they should do in this moment.
“It’s the squad that we have at the moment and what we have to manage. They have to try to do their best but I don’t think it’s fair to put all the pressure on them now as well.”
