Arsenal not resting on laurels after Real Madrid win

Arsenal's focus has shifted quickly to Ipswich Town in the Premier League after defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Arsenal FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Arsenal FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Arsenal's focus has shifted quickly to Ipswich Town in the Premier League after defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will have to put aside their incredible win over Real Madrid in the Champions League with the Premier League now front of mind for the Gunners.

Granted, that isn't an easy thing to do, such was the enormity of the win from the Gunners, but that is the balancing act a team must play when in Europe.

Will there be an emotional hangover of sorts after beating Real 5-1 over two legs to now playing the 18th-placed team in the Premier League? It would be human if the Gunners did look a little disenchanted.

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But with only six games to go and top four still not settled as the Gunners hold a six-point lead over fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, the eyes must be on the prize against Ipswich.

The last thing Arteta will want is for his team to get soundly beaten after they've just sent Madrid home from the Champions League.

But there was a quick moment of celebration Arteta revealed before all eyes turned to the weekend.

"For a short period of time yes, it was a great evening," Arteta said via arsenal.com. "We had a lot of family and a lot of happy faces around the club, so it was a good moment, but immediately you have to switch it up and now it's Ipswich in the Premier League."

Luke Woolfenden, Kai Havertz
Arsenal FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

With the league title out of reach, despite not being mathematically eliminated from contention, it can be easy for the Gunners to take it easy and put all of their eggs into the Champions League basket.

But with top four still not secured, Arsenal must still put all its energy into the league, despite Arteta's team selection against Brentford saying otherwise, as a host of stars were shifted to the bench.

Still, Ipswich are battling for their top-flight lives and while they are 14 points from safety, it won't be throwing in the towel and what better way to end the year than by beating an Arsenal side fresh off a win over Real Madrid?

It will be a mental battle as much as anything for Arsenal, and it is one it must win if top four is to be secured again.

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