Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta reacts in the course of the defeat to Aston Villa (Picture by Sean Botterill/Getty Pictures)
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta spoke to the press after his aspect misplaced 2-1 away to Aston Villa of their opening Premier League sport on Saturday.
It was solely the Gunners’ second defeat in all competitions this season, however it means Manchester Metropolis have closed the hole on the high of the desk and are actually two factors behind Arteta’s aspect.
Watch the total post-match press convention, the place Arteta spoke in regards to the environment after the consequence, Cristian Mosquera’s harm replace, and extra…
Full textual content of Mikel Arteta’s press convention
When you lose on the final kick of the match…
After all, I am very dissatisfied in the best way we misplaced the sport, however to start with I wish to congratulate Villa. As a result of they are a actually good crew they usually’re actually good at what they do. We had some difficulties within the first half, particularly once we conceded a really uncommon aim after profitable the ball, which was a very harmful second towards them. However aside from the state of affairs the place Watkins was fouled, I do not bear in mind the rest aside from the aim.
We began the second half very properly and have been extra constructive. We created probabilities, scored objectives and felt like we have been going to win the sport. This additionally had two very harmful private perks, so I might need misplaced earlier than, however I did not. We had two probabilities to attain, the final one the ball went to Declan however we could not capitalize. The following aim kick was lengthy, it flew there, second ball, put it for a throw-in, they performed quick, there was lots of confusion within the field, they usually managed to place the ball within the high nook, that is the standard of this league, that is the abstract.
As for the impression of the outcomes…
That is the league. We have been to many tough grounds – going to Outdated Trafford, going to St James’s Park, going to Chelsea, coming right here – however at the moment’s consequence may have been totally different. The truth isn’t. That is the step we have now to take. We’re 18 video games unbeaten, however we nonetheless have not misplaced by a detailed margin. That is the extent of the league and we all know it. That is the chance in entrance of us and that is it. Now’s the time to get again in your ft. They gave me each good motive to assume we might proceed to carry out on the identical stage. As a result of what they tried to do at the moment with the schedule that we had was nice as properly. So (we) transfer on.
Learn extra: Did you discover Arsenal’s three large issues within the defeat towards Villa?
If the sport schedule had an impact…
I do not know. There was a second the place we thought we have been going to win, however they gave us a really unusual prize that had nothing to do with us. However that is additionally soccer, and the boys have been keen to present it their all and tried their finest. The state of affairs was the identical for Leo, who may solely play for a sure period of time. We made the choice to do it (sub) earlier than after which we needed to do it, that is why we needed to change it, study from it and do it once more.
On having to rotate the protection because of harm…
I do know that is the fact and all of us need to take care of it for a time frame. And the crew should have the ability to adapt to that as a substitute of searching for excuses. We clearly know what these two (Gabriel and William Saliba) deliver, particularly in a match like this. However I feel the opposite two (Piero Hincapie and Julian Timber) have been additionally distinctive at the moment.
We suffered a come-from-behind loss in our final match…
We have been making an attempt, we have achieved it many occasions and we actually felt like we may do it at the moment, however we conceded two objectives and the sport was at all times in jeopardy. They’re very harmful and in open conditions like man-to-man on the final line, they’re excellent at attacking these channels. We’ll need to study from that and the best way we conceded the primary aim was removed from our requirements, however it’s one thing we realized from and we may give credit score to our opponents as properly. I feel the opponent is a very good crew.
On whether or not Aston Villa can be a part of the title race…
they’re. When you take a look at their place and the best way they play, they beat some large groups, particularly at residence. Everybody has to play with everybody, in order that they’re the place they’re for the time being and we’re there too.
Relating to Cristian Mosquera’s harm…
Sadly he will likely be out for a number of weeks, which is rather more than we anticipated. Nonetheless, the participant was feeling it and will likely be out for a number of weeks.
Relating to the gamers’ emotions after the match…
Emotionally it’s totally emotional for every part they’ve put in during the last two weeks and the outcomes we have gotten, the efficiency and to lose it like that. You simply really feel like every part you spent wasn’t price it. Nevertheless it’s price it. As a result of we are able to study once more from at the moment and grow to be a greater crew once more.
On coping with the ups and downs of the Premier League…
It has been 5 months for the reason that contest began, and up to now we have been dealing with it fairly properly. However we have now one other six months to show that we are able to deal with it time and again and once more, however that is the extent it’s. If we are able to attain this second with 10 factors, I feel we live in a distinct world.
