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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reacted to questions about his side’s squad depth and the form of striker Gabriel Jesus.
THE LOWDOWN: STUBBORN SAINTS
Arsenal’s eight-game winning run came to an end at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, as Southampton equalized in the second half to deny the North London outfit another win.
Arsenal, despite going in front early in the game, struggled to get hold of the game and the officiating was not the best as Arsenal could have had a penalty but was denied.
Talks about the side’s lack of enough impact from the bench came to the fore again and the manager spoke to the media after the game about it.
THE LATEST: SQUAD DEPTH AND GABRIEL JESUS
Mikel Arteta, in his post-match reaction, noted that the squad is still the same but his side could have played better against the Saints.
“We have the same that we had a month ago, two days ago, and the same as what we’re going to have next week. I don’t like to have any excuses.
“In the second half we could have played much better and we could have won much more comfortably than we did and it’s completely down to us. I think the team looked really fresh at the start. I put it more down to the way we played. We should have played better in the second half.”
Meanwhile, he also spoke on the performance of striker Gabriel Jesus in the game.
“I’m sure that today he will be disappointed because he had the chances to put them away. Knowing Gabby, he’s disappointed when he scores two goals and could have scored three or four, so he can do that. But he’s having the chances and he’s always there. He gives so much to the team and it’s a shame he couldn’t put them away today.”
THE VERDICT: IT HAS BEEN COMING
Well, a result like this has been coming for a while now. Since the win over Liverpool, Arsenal’s play have been average but the side managed to secure wins – 1-0 wins here and there. So, it was only a matter of time before that came to an end.
Now, it is about the right reaction after that disappointment. Games against PSV and Nottingham Forest in the coming week are very important before the big one against Chelsea.
