Arsenal won a thrilling encounter with Watford this afternoon to send us into fourth in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta wasn’t completely happy with his side.
The game was thrilling from the off, with the home side having a goal disallowed in the opening exchanges, only to find themselves behind inside the opening five minutes of play. We weren’t ahead for long however after Cucho Hernandez levelled through an overhead kick.
We then scored either side of the break to move into a 3-1 lead before allowing the home side to pick themselves up once again, and Arteta has criticised his side for failing to take control when having the two-goal cushion.
“A lot of positive things in our general play, the chances we created, we scored some great goals, but we didn’t have total control of the game and I’m not happy with that,” Arteta told Arsenal Media after the final whistle.
“Once we scored the third one I think we should have played a completely different game. We didn’t manage to take control of the game to play the right passes in the right areas, we were rushed, we were broken [against], we were in transition moments where we didn’t finish the actions, we had transition moments against us and that creates physically a very demanding game, which you could see in some players. As well, the uncertainty that if they scored a goal then the game was on.
“Attacking, we have been much more consistent, much more creative, our cohesion, our link, our understanding of what to do in each moment is getting even better and today we scored three good goals.”
I think Watford deserve some credit for their performance, especially knowing that we arrived in top form, as they were impressive today. On today’s viewing, it is a shock to see that they are occupying the relegation spots at present, but Roy Hodgson has only just come in to try and steer them away from the foot of the table.
I’ll agree that we could definitely have done better in possession when we had our lead however, and don’t want to take much away from our performance either.
Is it important to analyse our failings after such a performance with many important weeks ahead of us?
Patrick
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Mikel Arteta’s FULL press conference after Watford win –
The last sentence Patrick? No when we win at the moment it isn’t important. The problems arise when you dont win. Yes were only playing a very poor Watford side and yes at times we looked poor but we won and at this moment 3 points is better than analysing where we could have won easier. When we lose, then we can be more critical but 4 wins on the bounce regardless of who we played and how is great. Its the same the other way, lets not start comparing this team to the invincibles and start going all OTT over players and manager until they finish the job this season. Then we can dish out the accolades. FEET ON THE GROUND!!!!!!!!
And we are winning when there is something to play for – past few years have seen us drop points in these types of games when the points were important.
With that win we need maximum of 30 points from 13 games to stand overt Man U . That means even if we loose against Chelsea , Liverpool and Spurs , we just need to win or draw against United at home and win rest of the games to finish above United .
Now I know we can not win rest of the matches but so as United
even though it’s rather obvious that the question you’ve posed was only meant as baiting exercise, I’ll be your huckleberry…yes, it’s important to analyze a match regardless of the result…now of course, in light of the current race, the 3 points are the preeminent concern for most, but from a long-term perspective, the results of the “eye test” are infinitely more consequential…minus the impressive tandem of Ode and Saka, plus a well-placed shot by Marts, this was a rather average performance with an outstanding outcome
Looking at those at myback isn’t myprblem even if they are a treat.gunner needs to play it game as a master of the game and not baby of the game in the rest of matches.
Good I’m glad he’s starting to be a bit harder on himself, it’s probably why he’s showing improvement.
Last year he would’ve said we played exactly to game plan and the out come was what he predicted and that he’s very happy with everything he saw.
I liked the fact that Arteta spoke about it. Before complacency sets in. We can’t afford not to have a proper game control against a top side.
On the other note, credit to Watford as they really fought with tooth and nails. Relegation sides are hard to beat.
Did anyone notice Arteta being the ball boy in our build up to the third goal? That’s genius. Little things matter.
I thought the analysis was fair. Great goals but a mixed performance where instead of goals being hard to come by and the defence being solid, the opposite was the case.
Agree that Watford are at a critical point in their season and relegation teams become more difficult opponents. I really didn’t enjoy watching the last 15 minutes. Very much a case of hanging on by their finger tips and Watford nearly made us pay for what was a loss of concentration. The good thing is that they hung on and 4th place with an improved goal difference is ours.
I think it was a bad day in the office for our back 5. Had it been a better team, maybe we could have lost the match. Probably, they underestimated Watford and that is a dangerous thing to do. I am sure the lads will come good in the forthcoming matches.
The good thing about the current Arsenal is, everybody seems hungry for success, more so the Managerial team.
I LOVE YOU MIKEL