Wenger urges players to move on after elimination

(GSM) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his players to forget their 4-1 demolition by Barcelona and focus on beating local rivals Tottenham next Wednesday.

The Gunners are three points off the top of the Premier League, the only trophy they remain in contention for.

“When you go out of the Champions League, you are in front of a very empty future,” said Wenger.

“We have to deal with the disappointment and make sure we are ready for the next game.”

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi’s brilliant performance put an end to Arsenal’s Champions League dreams on Tuesday evening.

And Wenger believes his third-placed side must bounce back with a win at White Hart Lane on 14 April if they are to keep alive their hopes of avoiding a fifth successive season with any silverware.

“We have to recover quickly because we cannot drop any points,” said Wenger, whose side lie three points behind leaders Chelsea and one behind Manchester United, though with a substantially worse goal difference than both.

“Over the years White Hart Lane has been a place where we have done well, but it forces you to focus straight away because you know it will be a derby.”

Winger Theo Walcott, who set up Nicklas Bendtner for Arsenal’s goal on Tuesday, added that Arsenal can take positives from the defeat.

“It is one of those nights where we have to learn from our mistakes. It is about holding on to those crucial goals and not giving them the opportunity to score,” he said.

“There is no point dwelling on it, it is all in the past, we have got to move on and concentrate on the Premier League.

“It is a great experience for us, we now have to look forward to the game against Spurs.

“Tottenham away is a very big game – we just have to try and bounce back from this disappointment.”