Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arteta rues lack of Arsenal killer instinct; reacts to horror Ben Godfrey challenge

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during their 1-0 victory over Watford 2021

Mikel Arteta gave a brutally honest assessment of his side’s performance after Arsenal lost 2-1 late on at Everton on Monday Night Football.

The visitors took the lead through Martin Odegaard’s volley at the end of the first half, moments after Richarlison had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

Richarlison had another goal ruled out by VAR just before the hour mark, before he drew the Toffees level with a 79th-minute header when Gray’s shot came back off the bar.

Gray then secured Everton’s first victory in nine Premier League outings by sending an effort in off the post in the second minute of additional time.

The game ended with the crowd in delirium, having earlier seen some Everton fans leaving their seats in a protest over the running of the club.

And speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Arteta said: “In the first half we were very inconsistent with the ball. I didn’t like it. No penetration. One of the few times we did it we scored.

“Second half we tried to do more of those things, created four big chances but conceded a very sloppy goal when you need to manage the game.

“We couldn’t take the ball into the final third. They’re not going to give you time, at Goodison you know what to expect.

“I think the team tried to go, we kept pressing high. We lost a few important duels that put us some pressure.”


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Arteta coy on Godfrey challenge

On whether Everton’s Ben Godfrey should have been sent off, he added: “That decision was made, I’m sure VAR reviewed it. What I want is more from my team.

“Today you have the game under control even though you’re not playing your best. You have to find a way to win it. The way we conceded the goal and losing this match is not something good.

“It could have been very different but we haven’t managed to do it. When the opponent is there for the taking you have to do it and we haven’t. It wasn’t good enough.”

RATINGS: Everton duo spark stunning late win after VAR woes; Arsenal front three flop