Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is disappointed with the result and the sloppy goals conceded by the Gunners in their Sunday’s Premier League 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot Arsenal into the lead in the 13th minute, but Arteta’s men conceded two sloppy goals late on to lose at home.
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Goalkeeper Bernd Leno reacted poorly to Mason Mount’s cross and let Jorginho to equalize in the 83rd minute. Then four minutes later, Tammy Abraham caught Arsenal defence flat-footed and shot home the winner through Leno’s legs.
“I’m really disappointed with the result and the way we conceded the goals, and the timing of them as well. I’m pleased with a lot of things that I’ve seen. I’m pleased with a lot of things we worked on in training that actually happened in the game, and how they bought into this. But I’m disappointed to lose the game obviously. We had to sustain that level for longer periods against a very, very physical team like Chelsea. We have to move on,” Arteta said of the match.
“I don’t think [it’s a lack of concentration]. We’re 1-0 up, pretty comfortable even if we were defending much deeper than I like. I cannot think about any clear chances for Chelsea before that. The decision-making happens and it will happen again for sure, but when it happens against this type of opposition you get punished.”
Arteta added: “I think we had the structure really well, we had more numbers than the opponent and were completely in control. I think it’s a five against three situation. It’s the structure where we need to control those sorts of situations. Then we just stepped back. They are really good in transitions.
“More than something related to the organisation, physically it was tough to maintain the level Chelsea play at at the moment. We are asking them to do something different, to play at a different pace, much more aggressive and at the moment they suffered. We had a lot of injuries, we’re putting demands on young players. I don’t think that they didn’t want to do it or that they were scared, I think it was just too physical for them in the end.”
Asked about Leno’s reaction to conceding the first goal, Arteta said: “He will be down. When an error costs the team points, it’s harder. We have to lift him. He’s done a really good job since he joined this football club and we have to respect that. We just need to bring the confidence back in and that’s it.”
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COMMENTS
Nigerians love to crucify goalkeepers. As we see, even the best of them make mistakes
Lolz.
My brother, your dig was well aimed.
Seeing Leno and De Gea these last few days, I can’t but imagine Akpeyi should rank above them on current form.
Akpeyi is really a lucky man who did not allow circumstances around him to destroy his career. Am sure the South Africans picked it up from where Nigerians left it, to destroy him. He came to mind as l saw De Gea’sGea’ s error. He’s errors are not near those of these great goalies.l pray for him to keep succeeding!