Mikel Arteta acknowledges that Arsenal “will be in big trouble” if depression continues | Football news

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal will be “in big trouble” if they fail to transform their luck through a festive calendar that defines the season.

The Gunners crashed 4-1 in the Carabao Cup to Manchester City on Tuesday as Arteta’s team fell to a sixth loss in 11 in all competitions.

London rival Chelsea is the visitor to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day – live Sky sports – before the Gunners see the New Year with trips to Brighton and West Brom, and Arteta admits it’s a series of decisive games.

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“We have to turn it around, there is no question,” he said. Sky sports. “If we don’t, we are in big trouble, so this is the moment that is going to decide our season.”

“We make [have the tools to turn things around] because I see how hard the players are trying and what they are trying to do, but right now a lot of strange things are happening in every game and that makes things really difficult. “

Arsenal lagged behind City in absurd circumstances, as Gabriel Jesus punished the nonexistent defense to lead the champions to the lead with just two minutes left.

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Alexandre Lacazette equalized shortly after the half hour with a header, but Arsenal’s hopes were dashed in the 54th minute when goalkeeper Alex Runarsson unleashed a Riyad Mahrez free kick into his own goal.

From there, City were ruthless as goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte capped off a complete victory that leaves Pep Guardiola’s side two wins behind their fourth consecutive Carabao Cup win.

“It’s a disappointing night,” Arteta said. “We started the game and conceded after two minutes, a very soft goal. After that, at the moment in which we are, and against this rival, it is difficult.

“We got back into the game, we started to grow and we scored a really good goal and we had a 25 minute streak where we were the best team.

“After that, we conceded the second goal the way we did and against this level of opponent, they punish you and make your life really difficult.

“It is very difficult to accept if you take into account how the game was. The reaction of the team against this level of opponent was good, but when you give the goals that we give away, it makes the game impossible.”

When asked what he thought about Runarsson’s mistake, the Gunners boss added: “He hasn’t played many games for us, he’s adjusting to the league and that’s it. We all make mistakes, we have to support him.”

“I thought about opening Bernd Leno, but he played a lot of minutes and he needed to rest. We want to give opportunities to other players; Alex has done well in the other games and these things happen in football.”

Pep: Arteta is an incredible coach

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It has been just over a year since Arteta left Manchester City’s coaching organization to take the reins at the Emirates, but the loss to his former employers has only increased the pressure on his position.

However, speaking after the game, City manager Guardiola publicly supported Arteta, insisting that Arsenal would be making a “big mistake” if they decide to fire their former assistant.

“They will make a big, big mistake,” Guardiola said. BBC. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to trust him. I understand from the analysts, I analyze the results.”

“But I was with him for many years and I know his incredible quality as a human being and especially as a coach, how he gets involved in everything. It is only a matter of time and you will get it right.

“I am not on the board. For me they will make a big mistake if they are thinking. They give them confidence, they won two titles when they had not spent a long time at this club.”

“In this pandemic situation, with injury problems they have and the games they played always played well. But unfortunately these games is our job and it depends on the results. But football changes in such a fast week.

“I can talk about my experience with him, one of the most successful teams in the history of England that we had and he was part of this success and it would not be possible without him, and to create something like this you need
time I had in my first season. “

Who else is out there for Arsenal?

Jamie Redknapp from Sky Sports:

“Arteta has money in the bank because he won the FA Cup and has had brilliant form in cup competitions.

“People say that Arteta is going to lose his job; losing 4-1 at home is not ideal. The way they prepared, I thought they could be good, but suddenly things are gone, and they are devoid trustworthy.

“Of course you can go and fire the coach, but the biggest problem is that there is a group of players and there are only three or four that, if you were the coach, you would say that I can trust those players.

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“That will be the problem with this team. Too many of them, no matter what you do, they will disappoint you. It is a team full of children at the moment and I feel sorry for the young players. Arsenal have to stick with the manager and give him time to take out a lot of the players who aren’t good enough.

“I keep hearing about locker room riots and someone in the locker room giving information. If you have that, you have big problems.

“You don’t have a chance. You have to get rid of those players as quickly as possible and it’s not easy to do. If you get rid of the coach, who comes in? Who’s out there?”

Are Arteta’s problems inherited?

Micah Richards from Sky Sports:

“Is it fair to say that he has inherited this problem? He has been at the helm for a year and won an FA Cup that has covered the cracks a bit.

“I still have some faith and faith in Arteta because I’ve seen him in training camp when he was at Manchester City and I know he has something.

“I don’t know if he’s a better coach or a better coach, but only time will tell. It’s difficult and discouraging to see him like this, but I don’t know if I can only blame Arteta.”