Mikel Arteta described his team’s performance as “immense” in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. However, he expressed frustration over the defensive lapses that allowed the visitors to snatch a point in north London.
Playing their sixth game in just 18 days, Arsenal deservedly took a 2-0 lead before Villa staged a comeback to secure a draw. The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten league run to 12 matches but saw them fall two points further behind Liverpool at the top of the table.
“I think the performance was immense,” the manager said afterwards. “The boys were incredible, the way they went about it after playing three times in six days so I’m so pleased with the quality of the performance and how much we dominated a very, very good side”.
“For everything we did in the game actually to get a draw, very disappointed, very frustrated, very sad because it doesn’t reflect what the game did but as well I think there is a part where we have to blame ourselves, especially with one of the goals we conceded because it cannot be part of our game it won’t constantly win football matches.”
With William Saliba joining the injury list, the manager made just two changes to the team that triumphed over Tottenham on Wednesday night. Despite a depleted squad, Arsenal fired 18 shots at Villa’s goal and nearly secured a late winner, but Havertz’s effort was disallowed by VAR.
“Straight away after the second half, we have two big clear chances to score the goals and we don’t,” Arteta added.
“And then there are two arrivals [in our box], two goals. And then my fear was because I knew how tired the boys were because they have to repeat that in six days that we could go downhill. But we find a way to put another gear, another level of intensity, quality. Bring Aston Villa, really, really low and create two or three big chances to score. We scored one. It was disallowed, unfortunately, so emotionally difficult to accept it”
“It’s tough because when I see the team putting so much into it, I know the detail. I know what we’re going through at the moment, especially with the numbers that we have, and that they don’t get rewarded. It really hurts me.”
The games keep coming thick and fast, with Arsenal set to play their fifth consecutive home match on Wednesday against Dinamo Zagreb in the seventh round of the Champions League group stage.
“A different focus, now a few more days as well,” Arteta said, “because we need a little break now to get back to shape. To reset a little bit and go again because the last week or so has been very demanding at every level.”
