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Italy international Riccardo Calafiori insisted critics of Arsenal relish talking about the club after the Gunners delivered a much-needed response with a 1-0 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Arsenal, having suffered back-to-back setbacks with defeats in the Carabao Cup final and a shock FA Cup exit, had questions raised over their form heading into the quarter-final encounter. A late stoppage-time goal from substitute Kai Havertz ultimately secured the victory, giving Mikel Arteta\u2019s side a narrow advantage before the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n
Calafiori, who started in ARSENAL<\/strong><\/em>\u2019s defence at left-back, acknowledged the ongoing chatter but stressed it hasn\u2019t altered his focus or belief<\/p>\n \u201cLast couple of weeks, I would say, have been tough but that is the beauty of football,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is 100 per cent better now.<\/p>\n \u201cThis chance to play three days later rather than just stay home and think about it. Of course I\u2019m really disappointed but I\u2019ve got a lot to play for with Arsenal and I\u2019m really enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo win is the best way to get back on track,\u201d he added. \u201cThat was a clear demonstration of our identity, which maybe we lost a little bit in the last couple of games.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we came back as I like, I recognise my team again, you know. It\u2019s a nice game to come back, and now we can enjoy it, but we are already thinking about Saturday. We are happy.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery game is \u2013 hopefully \u2013 really important now until the end of April and also hopefully the end of May. \u201cIt\u2019s a completely different game. We will play at our stadium, our home, we know how to play in the Premier League, and now we must rest and then think about Saturday again.\u201d<\/p>\n Manager Mikel Arteta has urged his players to use the Sporting win as a springboard after a difficult fortnight, stressing the importance of perspective and resilience. Midfielder Havertz echoed that sentiment, describing the victory as a morale booster and reaffirming Arsenal\u2019s title ambitions this season.<\/p>\n For Calafiori, the focus remains singular: responding to critics through performances on the pitch rather than words off it. In the modern game, especially at a club of Arsenal\u2019s stature, external voices are inevitable \u2014 but according to the Italy defender, they serve as motivation rather than distraction.<\/p>\n ARSENAL<\/strong><\/em> now prepare for the return leg in London next Wednesday, with the Italian keen to maintain his place and continue contributing to the club\u2019s deep Champions League campaign.<\/p>\n MORE ARSENAL NEWS AND GOSSIP \u2013 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Latest: Arsenal \u2018will break record\u2019 and hand elite star \u2018substantial wage package\u2019 to complete MEGA signing<\/strong><\/p>\n Most Read:\u00a0Arteta to get his \u00a370M signing: Arsenal IN TALKS to sign target Mikel Really wants!<\/p>\n Must Check Out: \u00a3121.3M valued star \u2018NOT WORTHY\u2019 of \u00a3300k-a-week deal \u2013 Arsenal fans told<\/strong><\/p>\n LOVE ARSENAL? CLICK RIGHT HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND GOSSIP<\/strong><\/p>\nLike this:<\/h3>\n