Shell-shocked Mikel Arteta scathing of Arsenal display in Newcastle loss but still holding out for a miracle

Mikel Arteta Newcastle v Arsenal

Mikel Arteta was scathing of Arsenal’s display as they handed Tottenham a massive advantage in the Champions League race after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Arteta’s men needed a win to move above Spurs into fourth and put them in the driving seat to secure a Champions League spot heading into the final weekend of the season.

However, they were second best throughout the contest, with Ben White putting through his own net before Bruno Guimaraes netted a late second to seal the points for a rejuvenated Newcastle side.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta was brutally honest about Arsenal‘s display.

He said: “Newcastle deserved to win the match and were much better than us. We had nothing in the game. They were much better in every department and we were poor with the ball.

“A lot of things happened during the game, like substitutions for injuries, but it’s not an excuse because they were much better than us.

“It’s true that we could not cope with the game that we had to play here. We tried to change some things but it didn’t make it better. We had moments where we looked better but then the execution was so poor and the goals we gave away were extremely poor.

Arsenal level nowhere near what it should be

“It’s extremely disappointing that Newcastle were 10 times better than us and the performance was nowhere near the level we need to be at if we want to play in the Champions League.

“I am incredibly disappointed. It’s a very painful one. It was in our hands and today it’s not in our hands. We have to beat Everton and wait for Norwich to beat Spurs. There’s always a tiny chance in football.

“From tomorrow we’ll prepare for Everton. It’s still mathematically possible.”

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Mikel Arteta

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