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Mikel Arteta struck out at Everton for “wasting time” when evaluating Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Goodison Park.
The hosts took the lead with an own goal from Rob Holding before the Gunners leveled on a 35-minute penalty from Nicolas Pepe.
But Arsenal were level for just 10 minutes when Yerry Mina led Everton to the front at the edge of the break.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team had just two shots on goal and 42 percent possession, but emerged with three points to finish second in the Premier League.
Arteta explained why his team struggled to create opportunities by highlighting Everton’s deep blocking and criticized the Toffees for their ability to play after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was booked for wasting time.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
“It’s very difficult when you’re up against a team that defends very low and they’re wasting time,” said the Gunners boss. “They are playing their game.
“We make it difficult for ourselves the way we concede. It’s not easy to attack those spaces and have 15 chances. I think we have 13 shots and only two on target.
“I think our scope is that we want to be more consistent and win soccer games. That is the reality.”
(Image: PA)
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Arteta also lamented Arsenal’s weaknesses in defending set pieces despite the good job the players have done on training ground recently.
Mina received a free run at the near post to watch the winner past Bernd Leno from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner.
“We have been defending the corners very well, but in the last two weeks we have conceded two goals,” added Arteta.
“It is not about the individual, it is a collective problem.”
Despite being in 15th place in the table, the Spaniard affirmed that his players will fight to return to the path of victory.
“Absolutely the guys are still fighting,” Arteta said. “The boys are upset. They are together. It shows immediately on the field.”
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