Politics
Arteta admits Arsenal are in ‘difficult position’ and must show ‘pride’ after going bottom of Prem after City thumping
MIKEL ARTETA has called for Arsenal stars to show their ‘pride’ and fight their way out of a ‘difficult position’ following a humbling at the hands of Manchester City.
The Gunners lost 5-0 in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, which also saw Granit Xhaka sent off for a two-footed lunge in the first-half.
GettyManchester City hit five past Arsenal on Saturday[/caption]
The result means Arsenal are bottom after their first three Premier League matches, while conceding nine without a goal of their own in reply.
For Arteta, the international break has come at the perfect time as he looks to settle his squad before games with Norwich and Burnley.
He told BBC Sport: “For me it is pride and more willingness to change the situation.
“A lot happened in the last three weeks. We are in a difficult position.
“The international break will do us some good to recover some of the big players we are missing at the moment and hopefully when we come back we are in a better place.”
Ilkay Gundogan put City ahead after only seven minutes at the Etihad, and Ferran Torres quickly made it 2-0 before Xhaka’s dismissal.
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Arteta, 39, refused to criticise his midfielder and was unhappy with a potential foul in the build-up to the second goal.
Gabriel Jesus added another before the break with Rodri and Spanish winger Torres rounding off the scoring for the defending champions.
The Arsenal boss added: “The first goal was the most disappointing.
“We were in control of the game, we took the game exactly where we wanted to.
“The first action they have, we fail to stop the cross and Gundogan has a free header in the middle of goal.
“If you want to win in this stadium, these are the basics you have to do right.
This is not enough and everyone has to raise their level.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
“The second goal we concede is a clear foul because he punches Calum [Chambers] in the face.
“Once we conceded after the red card you know what is going to happen. It’s a really quick action from Xhaka, he tries to get his feet off the ground and the ref decided it was a red card.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang challenged Arsenal’s squad to confront some home truths in their bid to improve their form.
The club captain told BT Sport: “Blame us as a team.
“I think today wasn’t enough. Against a team like City, XI vs XI, you have to take risks and be brave on the ball and we weren’t.
“After the red card it was a completely different game. This is not enough and everyone has to raise their level.
ReutersArteta has a huge task on to turn around this Arsenal side[/caption]
APThe Gunners are without a point after three Premier League games[/caption]
“We have to look in the mirror, raise [our game] and stick together. We have to play with courage.
“This type of game you have to play with everything and take risks. We just didn’t do enough and that’s it. We have to talk between us as players because we are Arsenal.
“We have to talk and speak the truth, be honest and raise our level. It’s going to be difficult but we are a team and have to stick together at this moment. As senior players we have to show the way to young players.”
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