Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side are facing a tough first period of the season after losing to second-tier Southampton in the league. FA Cup Quarter FinalTwo weeks after losing in the final of england league cup.
The shock 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s Stadium left Arsenal with only the Premier League and Champions League as their trophy targets.
Gabriel Magalhães was sent off midway through the second half with a knee injury, making the situation even worse for Arteta, who suggested some players played against Southampton despite their own fitness issues.
What Arteta was not prepared to do was criticize his team.
“I love the players and what they’ve been doing for nine months,” he said. “What am I going to do now? Am I going to criticize these guys because they lost a game here because of their effort and the way they put their bodies on the line? Some of these guys probably didn’t even need to be here today. Some of them probably didn’t even need to be here today.
“No, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to protect them more than ever. If anyone has to take responsibility, it’s me, and we’re waiting for the most beautiful part of the season. And now it’s the moment of the season — there are always moments, usually two or three. This is the first moment that comes with some degree of difficulty.”
Arsenal will play Sporting Lisbon, the weakest remaining team, in the Champions League quarter-finals over the next 10 days, with the club leading the Premier League by nine points as they aim for their first trophy since 2020.
Arsenal finished second in the league in each of the past three seasons, but lost in the Champions League semi-finals last year.
Arteta added: “If I say it’s difficult, we’ll be playing in the Champions League quarter-finals and in preparation for the league.” “These are difficult times, but I think many other times are even more difficult.
“So stand up, hold yourself accountable and do what we’ve been doing all season.”
Gabriel will be appreciated.
Gabriel was seen with an ice pack on his knee after being sent off in the 72nd minute. He missed the Brazil match during the recent international break due to fitness concerns.
“I think he felt something,” Arteta said of his key defender. “I don’t know exactly what it is. We’ll have to evaluate him. But when a player requests a substitution, it’s never good news.”
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
