Mikel Arteta has challenged his team to continue and win the FA Cup after Arsenal sacked Sheffield United to reach the semifinals on Sunday.
The Gunners went 2-1 winners at Bramall Lane after an injury-time winner from substitute Dani Ceballos saved them from playing overtime.
Nicolas Pepe led the visitors from the penalty spot before the break, but David McGoldrick equalized with three minutes for Ceballos to claim the last victory for Arteta’s men.
With ninth place at Arsenal looking unlikely to reach Europa League positions, Arteta knows that winning a 14th FA Cup is his best shot at securing European football next season.
Arteta said: “I am really satisfied. Bramall Lane is a difficult place to get a victory. We are back at Wembley now and I am very happy with the attitude and performance of the players.
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He continued: “It is a great opportunity to try to win a title and play in Europe.
“I can never criticize the effort of the players. We still have to improve in many areas, but each victory gives him some credit and encouragement.
“I hope we can get some momentum now.”
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Sheffield United, meanwhile, has gone four games without a win since restarting its season and is in danger of undoing its impressive form before the coronavirus reaches England.
Chief Chris Wilder admitted that his team was “disappointed” but urged them to work hard to regain their momentum earlier in the season.
Wilder said: “We don’t like to lose as professionals and we are out of the competition. We are disappointed with its winner because I thought the momentum was with us.
He added: “Some things did not go well for us. We lacked a little confidence, which happens when you lose games, so we have good players who may need to believe a little more in themselves.
“In order for us to reach this position, we have to show character. There are players who are suffering right now. We have had a great race and expectations have gone through the roof.
“Maybe what we should have done is lose a few games at Christmas and be down and then win one, and people would pat us on the back. But I really didn’t want to take that approach! “
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