Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports and gave his reaction to Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth this evening.
Here’s what he had to say.
Should you have killed the game with the chances you had?
Yeah, for sure, but the reality is that we didn’t. We had so many open situations, however, big spaces, big opportunities to score. We didn’t, and then when you defend the box the way we did, and concede two goals from set pieces at this level, it’s very difficult to earn the three points.
Why was the second half so chaotic?
Because we don’t finish the actions. You give so many simple goals away and against a team that has a lot of energy, they run and in transition they are really good. That’s really the best thing to do. We had them, we didn’t kill them, and then we gave them hope. They scored from two set pieces and then it became very chaotic.
Why are you conceding so many goals from set-pieces?
Very, because especially with how few we concede, the average has been really, really high because we lost points. As well here against Palace, against Fulham, it could have been the same against Brantford, so something really to improve.
How to ensure negativity from this result doesn’t linger for PSG?
This didn’t create the right momentum, positive momentum. It certainly created a lot of anger, frustration, rage, disappointment, and let’s use all of that for Wednesday. That’s what we have to do.
Was there mental and physical fatigue?
No, no mental fatigue. It is true that a lot of players had to start, probably they were conditioned for something else. It’s what we have.
Is there a chance Timber won’t be available for Wednesday?
Yes, there is a chance. Big chance.
How do you assess that right now?
That’s for the doctor.