Gyökeres: After the Loss to Manchester City We Will Be Even More Motivated
Gyökeres is confident the League Cup final defeat to City will only sharpen Arsenal's focus as they look to hold on to their nine-point Premier League lead.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres believes Arsenal will be even more motivated in their pursuit of the title following their League Cup final defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners' hopes of a quadruple this season came to an end on Sunday after being beaten by the Citizens at Wembley. The result could hand City renewed energy as they look to close a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League, but Gyökeres is confident the setback will only sharpen his side's focus.
The Swede told reporters: "Of course we don't feel good right now, but it's not like we have another match in three days. There is time until the next one. We will definitely be even more motivated for the upcoming games."
Arsenal's next fixture is against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on 4 April, followed by their Champions League last-16 clash with Sporting Lisbon, before their Premier League campaign resumes at home to Bournemouth on 11 April. They will then face City in a potentially pivotal showdown at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April.
"I think we started quite well," said Gyökeres. "We created some good chances early in the match. I think they controlled the ball — maybe they didn't create that many dangerous situations, but they held possession for a long time and it looked the same way in the second half. Playing against top sides, it can be like that. From the moment they scored, it was hard to come back from that."
Midfielder Declan Rice was also determined to respond after the international break, writing on Instagram: "The loss doesn't define us. It only makes us hungrier to push forward and finish the season strong."