MIKEL ARTETA has told his highly-paid Arsenal stars they shouldn’t be at the club if they can’t handle the pressure ahead of their clash against Benfica.
The Gunners go into their Europa League Round of 32 second leg on level terms with the Portuguese outfit following the 1-1 draw in Rome last week.
With the North London outfit languishing 11th in the Premier League table, it is likely the only way Arsenal will playing in Europe next term is by winning the Europa League.
And Arteta has challenged the FA Cup holders to relish the pressure the club are facing prior to facing Benfica in Athens on Thursday.
He said: “This is why we are here.When you play in these competitions and these games, finals too, it’s the pressure that you want.
“It’s much better to have the pressure to win than the pressure not to lose.
“I really enjoy the pressure of winning and to be here and to represent this club you have to be prepared to do that. If not, you don’t belong here.”
He will be hoping his comments fire up skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is Arsenal’s top earner along with Thomas Partey.
The duo pocket £250,000-a-week at the Emirates, but it’s safe to say they haven’t earned their money this season.
Aubameyang has scored just 11 goals in 25 games in all competitions, while Partey has been limited to just 16 matches due to injuries.
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Since joining from Atletico Madrid in October, the Ghana international has missed an incredible 16 fixtures due to hip and hamstring knocks, though he is fit to face Benfica.
Arteta’s fighting talk may also inspire Willian – who is on £192,000-a-week – to finally score his first Arsenal goal since linking up with the club.
In total, nine players at Arsenal earn over £100k-per-week according to Spotrac, including Alexandre Lacazette (£182k), Hector Bellerin (£110k) and David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe, Bernd Leno and Granit Xhaka who are all on £100,000-a-week.
Arsenal’s player of the year so far Bukayo Saka is said to be on £30,000-a-week, making him one of the lowest earners in the squad.
But Spotrac state that Reiss Nelson is on the lowest figure at the club, as he rakes in half of what his team-mate does.
And having fallen down the pecking order under Arteta, the winger could be on his way out in the summer with Arsenal ready to listen to offers for him.
