‘We absolutely gave them the goals’: Mikel Arteta rues Arsenal’s mistakes in their 3-1 defeat by Man City, but insists his team’s performance has given him ‘more belief’ that they CAN win the title.
Mikel Arteta has admitted his Arsenal‘s side gifted Manchester City their goals during the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat on Wednesday night.
It was a miserable night for Arsenal who lost top spot in the Premier League to their opponents, thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.
Arsenal’s woeful defending contributed to City’s victory, in particular for the first goal, where Takehiro Tomiyasu played the ball straight to De Bruyne who chipped keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Following the game Arteta said it’s ‘not possible’ at this level to make the mistakes they made.
He said: ‘To beat them we have to be over our level because they are such a good team with individual quality, we matched them but in big moments games are defined in the box and they were better than us.
Mikel Arteta was annoyed with his side’s errors that led to goals in a 3-1 win for Man City
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu gifted City the lead when his back pass went straight to Kevin De Bruyne who magnificently chipped Gunners keeper Aaron Ramsdale
Gabriel nearly gave away a penalty – rescinded by VAR- before then giving the ball away for City’s second which was scored by Jack Grealish, before Erling Haaland added a third
‘The second-half we had periods we were imprecise, played fast with no advantage and put ourselves into trouble.
‘The way we gave goals away at this level is not possible. You don’t play that you have to play a different game and we didn’t do it well enough.’
He went on to add though that he has ‘more belief’ that the Gunners can win the title after taking the game to the reigning champions.
Arteta said: ‘I didn’t see any difference, man to man they went higher but we got out the press well and at times didn’t understand when to play the ball in certain areas and we got punished.
‘The atmosphere and performance was really good if you take away giving Man City three goals. For the rest I don’t know what I can as they are the best in the world and we matched that level.
‘I have more belief (about winning the title) because I see a team going head to head with them. You have to go to the next one and we have to be at our best, I have belief in my players.’
Arteta though feels his side’s performance has given him ‘more belief’ they can win the title
Arsenal still have a game in hand which could push them back above Manchester City
After Tomiyasu’s early mistake gifted De Bruyne, Bukayo Saka netted from the penalty spot to draw Arsenal level.
Gabriel was lucky not to give a penalty away after a challenge on Haaland, as he was saved by the fact that the Norwegian striker was offside as he burst through.
The defender though not long after lost the ball in his own half, which led to Grealish putting City ahead.
City then put the game out of reach after Haaland poked a finish beyond Ramsdale.
Despite the defeat and dropping to second, Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 19 years is still in their hands, as they have a game in hand over Man City.
Arteta was involved in the thick of things as he was pushed by Kevin De Bruyne for kicking the ball away.
source: dailymail.co.uk
