Even in carnival season, was in a very serious mood.

It is, after all, the business end of the and Europe is last chance of success in a season which promised much but is in danger of delivering nothing.

arrived in Eindhoven - renamed Lampegat for the annual five day festival - to find all the locals in fancy dress, boozing and generally painting the town red. It all feels a bit surreal. But Arsenal want to play party poopers and spoil the mood against even if Arteta seemed intent on playing down expectation levels ahead of their last 16 clash.

Earlier in the season, Arteta talked about big ambitions in Europe, wanting to go all the way and yet they have had a serious dip after failing to score in their last two games because of the striker injury crisis.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Defeat to and a goalless draw at Notting Forest has virtually put paid to Arsenal’s title hopes. Their season is in danger of flatlining. But even without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli - all on the missing list - Arteta says they can still find another gear.

However, Arteta did admit that instilling belief is going to be the hardest task of all.

Arteta said: “Well, trying to explain how we're going to do it and why we do things. And they try to deliver that in the best possible way. In the last two results, it's been very different in terms of performance as well. Not getting the result that we want, but certainly being better, especially in the last game than the opposition.

“And the fact that we have still gears, even with the players that we have, some other gears to take the game to a different level.

“When it comes to that stage, it's about lifting the level and the standards. Every individual has to be at their best. And when we do that, with the team that we have and the connection that we have between us, we are a really strong team.”

That was talking up Arsenal’s chances but there was no doubting that their recent form has checked even Arteta’s normally unshakable confidence which some see as arrogance.

There was no big talk about winning the trophy this time. Arsenal were among the favourites in the Group stages. Now it feels much harder to make a case for them.

Arteta added: “I think in the group stage, because it was different, I could see it very open. Now I see it very close because I just see one opponent, which is PSV and tomorrow's game and that's it. But in the first stage, I think it's been very, very different.

“I mean, the reality is, being a coach, I just look at what is ahead. And what is ahead is a team that has eliminated a team like with a history. So, I know the difficulty. We played against PSV a lot in recent years and we know the difficulty of the match.

“Regardless in what situation you are in the league, when you start to come to this stage of the Champions League, there is something else. You feel it in the atmosphere and the energy of the place.

“It's something else because it's a competition you don't play weekly and you play in a moment where you are in or you are out. And that gives you urgency, and it gets the best out of you, for sure.”

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our