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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must keep standards ‘through the roof’ at Fleetwood

The Gunners manager says the reputation and pride of the Premier League champions are on the line ahead of Tuesday’s fourth-round tie at Highbury Stadium.

Arteta’s side lost 2-1 to Championship club Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season and were beaten 1-0 by second-tier side Nottingham Forest in the third round of that competition in 2022.

Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood
Arsenal travel to Fleetwood’s Highbury Stadium on Tuesday evening (Richard Sellers/PA)

During his playing days, the Spaniard was an unused substitute when Arsenal suffered a shock penalty shootout loss to fourth-division outfit Bradford in the League Cup quarter-finals under Arsene Wenger in the 2012-13 campaign.

“We all had one at some stage and we know the risk,” Arteta said of the potential for an upset.

“In football things can get very equal the moment you are able to match certain things, and that’s why our basics and habits have to be through the roof to be able to win again.”

Arsenal moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City thanks to Saturday’s routine 2-0 victory over Everton and have won 11 of 13 fixtures in all competitions this term.

Bradford City players celebrate victory over Arsenal in December 2012
Mikel Arteta, not pictured, was part of the Arsenal squad beaten by League Two Bradford in the League Cup quarter-finals in December 2012 (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

Asked how he will motivate his players to face a team sitting 18th in League Two, Arteta replied: “Show them the Arsenal shirt and what we represent, and that’s it.

“We need to go there and win the game, that’s it. It’s very simple. Our reputation, our pride, everything is in play.

“Every time you play a football match and, especially against a team in a different division, respect the game, respect every opponent because they deserve that, and then try to win and try to play a bit better than them.”

Arsenal are preparing for their sixth of nine fixtures in the space of just 29 days. Arteta will assess the condition of his squad before the trip to Lancashire and is expected to make changes.

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres is yet to score this season (John Walton/PA)

Striker Viktor Gyokeres made his first league start of the season at the weekend and could retain his place as he seeks a first goal of the campaign.

The Sweden international, 28, endured a frustrating afternoon against Everton, having come off the bench to assist Declan Rice’s equaliser in last week’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich.

“I think he was unlucky, two or three moments he is in front of goal – he’s won the position and then the ball doesn’t get there,” Arteta said.

“But he’s done a lot of good things, I think, and we need to keep insisting.

“He had a really good contribution in Munich as well. When he came on, he helped us to change the game and that’s what we need from all of them.”

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