Mikel Arteta lamented Arsenal’s defensive vulnerability early in video games as Fulham grew to become the newest group to attain a fast purpose to place the hosts instantly on the again foot once more in Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw.
Arsenal conceded 57 seconds after kickoff when Andreas Pereira pounced on a free again go and fired the guests forward even earlier than followers had taken their seats.
The purpose made Arsenal the primary group in Premier League historical past to concede a first-minute purpose 3 times in a calendar yr.
“We have this situation a thousand times in football. We gave the ball away in a really dangerous area and it was a really cool finish,” Arteta informed the BBC.
“Right from the beginning, we gave an incredible goal away. You make life really difficult for yourself. But the team reacted really well.
“We dominated the game and created countless chances and should have scored five, six, seven goals easily. When you’ve done the most difficult thing – get back ahead against a well organised team – you have to defend your box from one corner.”
After failing to seek out the web within the first half, Arteta made adjustments within the second and he was completely happy to see substitutes Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah dragging Arsenal again into the sport.
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Vieira first received the penalty for Bukayo Saka to stage the rating at 1-1 earlier than offering the help for Nketiah to make it 2-1.
“Fabio was involved in everything we created and I am really happy with that. To see players with the ability to make and take chances with quality,” Arteta mentioned.
“The same with Eddie (Nketiah). It is my fault that Fabio has not played more and today he gave me reasons to play him more.”
However, Fulham scored a late equaliser via Joao Palhinha from a nook regardless of taking place to 10 males, which left Arteta fuming as Arsenal dropped two factors and failed to maneuver high of the standings.
“We have to show another level of commitment and desire – ‘over my dead body’. With 10 men, you cannot concede a goal,” he mentioned.
“It’s the only chance they have and you get punished. Yet still you get another two chances and don’t score, that’s the story of the game.
“(For) the amount of things we did to merit to win the game comfortably, we end up with one point.”
