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Mikel Arteta will not stop Arsenal from trying to play from behind, but accepts that there are times when a punt will do the job.
Mikel Arteta had a warning for Bernd Leno and Arsenal’s goalkeeper error almost proved costly in Thursday’s clash with Rapid Vienna.
Two goals in four minutes from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a 2-1 victory to start the Gunners’ Europa League campaign after Taxiarchis Fountas put the hosts ahead in Austria.
Fountas had capitalized when Leno’s bad touch and kick gave him a chance to open the scoring, and two more bad plays of the game. The Arsenal goalkeeper gave the Greek striker chances he couldn’t convert.
Leno has now made eight mistakes that have led to goals in all competitions since the start of the 2018-19 season, the third highest tally of any Premier League player behind David de Gea (nine) and Jordan Pickford (11). ).
Arteta won’t discourage his team from trying to build the game from behind, but he accepts that there are times when clearing his lines is more important.
“It’s part of our game,” he told reporters. “We need to understand when we can do that and when we should kick the ball into the stands.
“They will understand better and better the type of balls we have to play in those areas and to whom in relation to the pressure that is coming.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We made it more difficult at the beginning with the goal we conceded.
“I really like the reaction. In the second half, we understood much better the spaces we have to attack.
“Overall we scored two good goals, the second was fantastic. We are delighted to start with the victory.”
Thomas Partey made his full debut for the Gunners and delivered a consummate performance in the heart of midfield.
The £ 45 million firm attempted 57 passes into the middle of the opposition, more than any other player, while astute defensive work saw him win five tackles and regain possession eight times.
“I think he also kept midfield only in the second half, when we were a little more open and we started running more opportunities attacking certain spaces with some players,” Arteta said.
“But I think he was fantastic tonight and there is a lot more to come from him. We know, with the price we paid for him, there is going to be a lot of people watching him.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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