Arteta asked about Aubameyang’s assessment of heavy Man City defeat
Mikel Arteta agreed with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s assessment of Arsenal’s heavy defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.
The Gunners striker’s assessment of the 5-0 defeat was that the team lacked “courage”.
Arsenal were 2-0 down after 12 minutes before Granit Xhaka was sent off 10 minutes before half-time. Ferran Torres and Ilkay Gundogan got the goals before Gabriel Jesus, Rodri and Torres completed the rout.
“I just blame us as a team because today, it wasn’t enough. Against [Man] City, 11 vs. 11, you have to take risks & you have to be brave on the ball, we weren’t today. After the red card, it was a completely different game,” said Aubameyang.
“As I said, it’s not enough & everyone has to raise the level, look at ourselves in the mirror, work as a team & stick together. This is the only way to go forward.
Aubameyang on how Arsenal get through this bad spell, said: “We have to talk between us players. This is now important because we are Arsenal. We need pride, we have to say the truth between each other, be honest & raise the level.
“It’s going to be difficult. As I said, we are a team. We have to stick together in these moments & as senior players, we have to show the way as well to the young players. I know it’s not going to be easy but we’ll try to give our best.”
Arteta was asked about Aubameyang’s comment and did not disagree.
“If it’s his feeling, it’s right because he’s on that field and he’s experiencing that,” said the Gunners boss.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Arteta denies system was wrong
Asked whether he got the defensive system wrong, he added: “We have played that system before, last week we played with a back four against Chelsea and lost.
“Every time you lose a game we understand that people say you should have played the other system. We understand that and have to accept it.
“I think we started the game really well and in the first situation they had the ball in our box and we defend the cross, we defend the run into the box, and then we are 1-0 down, so we tried to go again.
“I think we tried to create some situations, and then the second one, there was a hit and the referee allows it to go and then we are 2-0 down and after the red card (there was) obviously a mountain to climb.”
READ MORE: Guardiola issues big statement, with three crucial reasons why Arsenal must keep Arteta
The post Arteta asked about Aubameyang’s assessment of heavy Man City defeat appeared first on TEAMtalk.