LISBON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the sting of consecutive cup defeats must be used as motivation as his team prepare for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting on Tuesday.

The London club arrived in Lisbon following their first back-to-back losses of the season: a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final and a 2-1 upset by Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

“We have to have some perspective on how difficult what we have done up until now has been,” Arteta told reporters Monday. “Feel the pain, use it to improve. We are very clear about what happened and why it happened. This is football.”

With Arsenal now competing in just two competitions, Arteta stressed that calm and clear thinking, rather than panic, will be key as his squad look to respond on the European stage.

“I think what you have to be is clear, understand why it happened,” he said. “And when you understand that, be better, and that is what we have to do.”

Injury concerns remain, with Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Jurrien Timber unavailable for the first leg after missing the trip to Portugal. Arteta said he is hopeful all three could return by the weekend.

There was brighter news for Arsenal, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard all fit and participating in training.

Arsenal face a Sporting side unbeaten at home in European competition this season, with the Portuguese champions eager to assert themselves in the two-legged tie.

Sporting midfielder Maxi Araujo downplayed suggestions that Arsenal are favorites. “There are no favorites in this play-off,” he told reporters. “They are playing well, we are too.”

Sporting manager Rui Borges said Arsenal’s recent losses will not be a factor. “No, I don’t believe in that, and great teams always want to win,” Borges said. “They will be more focused, willing to show their collective and individual capacity, and so I think it will make it more difficult for us.”

The second leg will take place April 15 at the Emirates Stadium. In between the two legs, Arsenal return to Premier League action, hosting Bournemouth on Saturday as they continue their title quest.

-Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters