Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are playing with a tougher mentality that is enabling them to grind out results when not at their best.
The Gunners are yet to hit top gear this season, but they are leading the Premier League and on Wednesday evening can seal a spot in the Champions League knockout stage with a point against Lens.
Arsenal's struggles in attack mean they have increasingly had to rely on their defence, and Saturday’s victory at Brentford was their fifth 1-0 win of the season. Arteta’s side have the best defensive record in the League, and the Spaniard has singled out their mental strength as a key factor in helping them get over the line.
“At the end, it is the capacity and the amount of resources you have to win a game, how many ways can you find to win a game,” said Arteta.
“Sometimes it will be that the weather doesn’t allow you [to play in the right way], sometimes it is fatigue, because you played three days before, sometimes it is the opponent, sometimes you are not at your best, but the team always finds a way to win.
“And that a lot comes from mentality and having that will to win, regardless of what is happening. Take it personally and make it happen.”
Arsenal could qualify for the last 16 before a ball is even kicked tonight if PSV Eindhoven lose at Sevilla in the other game in Group B, which kicks off at 5.45pm.
Regardless of that result, the Gunners will progress as group winners if they beat Lens at Emirates Stadium.
Only 11 Arsenal players had played in the Champions League before this season, but the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have excelled.
Arteta has praised his youthful team for being fearless and is convinced that mindset will continue should Arsenal reach the knockout stage.
“Fear is a word we don’t want around the team — and certainly not to play the way we want to play,” he said. “Respect the competition, respect the opponent, be conscious of what we are doing and understand what the game requires in Europe, which is slightly different to what we face in the Premier League.
“But again, it is the courage, the ambition, the enthusiasm, the passion to play and be dominant in the game. That is what has to drive the team.”
Lens beat Arsenal 2-1 in France in October, and Arteta added: “It is going to be a really difficult game, but hopefully we can be better than them.”
