Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrive in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.
ADVERTISEMENT
Arteta’s side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.
The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team’s chances in Europe’s top-tier club competition.
“It’s certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won,” Arteta told a news conference on Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Al Nassr as the team continued to thrive in the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Saudi champions defeating Al Gharafa 3-1 in Qatar on Monday.
The 39-year-old’s contributions moved Al Nassr nearer to the last eight, needing just two points from their final three group games.
Only Al Shorta on two points, with four games to play, can deny Ronaldo’s side a place in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 at Al Rayyan.
