Mikel Arteta is a happy man. After seeing his Arsenal side beat archrivals Manchester United 3-1 at the Emirates, he will be going to this international break in high spirits.
Arsenal got their two winning goals in injury time, and although they won, and a win is a win, that win worries Arteta.
The Spaniard isn’t comfortable with his team winning in extra time, instead noting that he prefers his team winning games convincingly and scoring goals early in games. The fact is that both Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka missed great chances long before we got anywhere near added time.
When asked if he’s haapy we won late in the game, the Boss replied: “I prefer that Bukayo Saka puts it in the net a lot earlier. A team needs different tools to win matches,” Arteta said via Arsenal.com.
The Arsenal manager clearly appreciates his team’s ability to score late goals, but he knows it won’t always work. His desire for his team to score early and win games comfortably is valid; he has every quality in his squad to dismantle any team. Why should they even be in the title race if they can’t dismantle every obstacle?
The Spaniard though is clearly delighted with how his team put up a fight against Manchester United, acknowledging their determination. He added, “I love the mentality of the team, the determination, the eagerness to win and go and go and go. We never give up. Obviously, we gave them the first goal in a situation that we discussed.
“They kill you if you do that, and we did, but we reacted straight away, and I think, overall, over the 100 minutes, the team was very dominant and deserved to win the game, but to be fair, the margins with this team are so small, and it could have gone in a different way.”
As Arsenal fans, we are certainly used to having our hearts in our mouths right up until the final minute, but I am sure we all agree with Arteta that we would rather start scoring goals a lot earlier!
Sam P
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Irrespective of whether Arsenal win their games earlier than in the added time or not. The important thing is Arsenal should winning their matches this season unfailingly. Be it. in the long added time or even at the death of the added time does not really matter. But as long as the Gunners win their matches and keep winning them this season romeo win the quadruple at season’s end is what really matters and counts as far as us Arsenal are concerned.
This season, I envisage, Arsenal may likely have to rely on the now long added time to beat their opponent teams. Just as the used the long added time to beat Man City at Wembley in the CS match. And at home last Sunday against Man Utd in the Epl big games.
Irrespective of whether Arsenal win their games earlier than in the added time or not. The important thing is Arsenal should be winning their matches this season unfailingly. Be it. in the long added time or even at the death of the added time does not really matter. But as long as the Gunners win their matches and keep winning them this season to win the quadruple at season’s end and win them is what really matters and counts as far as us Arsenal are concerned.
This season, I envisage, Arsenal may likely have to rely on the now long added time to beat their opponent teams and beat them. Just as they used the long added time to beat Man City at Wembley in the CS match. And at home last Sunday against Man Utd in the Epl big game.
It would be safer if we score early and put the game to bed rather than waiting for extra time to score and win. But it is easier said than done and teams will press Arsenal and Arsenal will have to fight it out to score early and win. Creating and taking chances will be the key as teams with low blocks hardly give Arsenal chances so it is vital to take the chances as and when they come.
Wouldn’t we all Mikel, wouldn’t we all…
Is it me or is there a pattern forming because didn’t he say the same thing last season, and the season before etc….
But it would be nice to come away from a game without my BP and anxiety not so sky high, it might be a pleasure one day to watch a comfortable win.
My fear with this desire if Arteta is that he doesn’t seem to know how to manage an early lead. At some point he seems unsure whether to maintain pressure of make subs to hold out for the win.
Many times last season, he has gone with the option that gives our opponents the initiative when we are in the lead.
He seems better suited to throw in the right subs when we are behind.
Just my observation. Not in all cases though.