Arsenal to use Bournemouth loss pain in Shakhtar Donetsk clash: Mikel Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has asked his side to channel the pain from their recent loss to Bournemouth and use it in their upcoming clash against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

In Short

• Arsenal lost 2-0 to Bournemouth, ending their unbeaten Premier League run
• Arteta wants his side to maintain discipline, with them collecting 3 red cards in 8 matches
• Arsenal have 4 points so far in the Champions League campaign

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta vowed his team will channel the disappointment of their first Premier League defeat of the season into a strong performance when they face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Gunners suffered a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth on Saturday, ending their unbeaten league run and leaving them in third place with 17 points, trailing leaders Liverpool by four points and Manchester City by three.

Looking to bounce back, Arsenal will host Shakhtar Donetsk after a mixed start to their Champions League campaign. They began with a goalless draw away at Atalanta, followed by a 2-0 home win over Paris St Germain. With four points from two games, Arsenal currently sit 13th in the competition's new league-style format.

A key issue for Arsenal has been discipline, with William Saliba's red card against Bournemouth marking their third dismissal in eight league matches. Previous red cards for Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have also cost Arsenal points, as they've struggled to maintain form when reduced to 10 men.

Arteta is hoping his team can put the frustrations behind them and deliver a statement performance against the Ukrainian side as they seek to build momentum in Europe.

"We cannot continue to play with 10 men, easier to say it then to get it done in the specific moment," Arteta told reporters on Monday.

"Reacting (after) we had a defeat (but under) very specific conditions. Let's move on, take that pain we have and use it tomorrow night.

"We need to eradicate the issue (of red cards), it's clear. The reasons, how - it doesn't matter. We have to focus."

Shakhtar Donetsk has faced significant challenges, not only on the field but also off it, as they continue to adjust to life on the road after being forced to leave Donetsk a decade ago due to the conflict in the region, when pro-Russian separatists seized control of large parts of eastern Ukraine.

Their struggles have been compounded by the ongoing war in Ukraine. In early September, just two days before a scheduled domestic league match against Kryvbas, the team's hotel was struck by a Russian missile, adding another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation for the club. Arteta would sympathise with Shakhtar ahead of the clash.

"There is obviously a lot of sympathy for the situation they are in and how can I imagine. The incredible attitude they have towards the situation (in Ukraine) due to the war," Arteta said.

Arsenal have 4 points so far in the Champions League campaign.