Mikel Arteta was pleased with the Arsenal fans and his side’s response to going down to 10 men, labelling it ‘amazing’ and believed the Gunners could have still walked away with all the three points.
Declan Rice received a hash second yellow card, right at the beginning of the second half. That red card completely changed the complexion of the game, allowing the seagulls to come back and almost take all the three points, disrupting the Gooners perfect start to the season.
Arteta didn’t have a lot to say about the pivotal referee’s decision, but had something to say about his team’s response:
Arteta says Arsenal should have won against Brighton
“We started the game really well,” she said. “We created three or four big chances that we didn’t convert, unfortunately. Then we had a period where we had some problems, especially the giveaway that we gave after regaining the ball, but we scored a really good goal”.
“We were on top of the match, we started the second half really well and, in that moment, the referee makes a decision that obviously changes the course of the game for us. And then still like this, the team reacted amazingly, the crowd reacted amazingly, and we should have won the game”.
The Spaniard also said he was disappointed with some of the referee’s decisions on the day
“We had to adapt to the context, we thought it was very inconsistent,” he said. “And he made one decision, by the book he can make, but he totally missed to make the second one, and we should have played 10 against 10.”
Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz had chances to win it on the counter in the game, after the host were reduced to 10 men.
“That’s what we set up,” the boss said. “It was trying to find that situation to limit them in their attacking threat. They’re a really good side, so to play 47 minutes with 10 men at this level is very tricky, but I think we did that really well, and we were unfortunate not to win it”.
“Now we have to think about what we have done in the first few games, start to prepare for the next cycle, make sure that everybody that’s on international duty comes back with good health, and ready for the next things.”
Arsenal will now have to face the North London derby without Declan Rice and will be eager to return to winning ways just after the international break.
