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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reflected on his team selection following Thursday’s defeat at PSV Eindhoven.
THE LOWDOWN: POOR OUTING
Arsenal travelled to Netherlands for their final away group match in the Europa League after last week’s win over the Dutch outfit at the Emirates Stadium.
Although they secured their place in the next round with that win, a point last night would have confirmed their position as group winners, but that did not happen. The Gunners were utterly dominated by their hosts and deservedly lost 2-0.
Arteta duly gave some of this thoughts on the result and performance afterwards.
THE LATEST: WRONG TEAM SELECTION?
The Arsenal boss had plenty to say after seeing his side suffer just their second defeat of the season againt PSV on Thursday night.
On how concerned he was by individual performances in Eindhoven, Arteta said: “It’s my responsibility to adapt and to get the best out of the players. These players have been exceptionally good. They’ve been performing at a level that probably no-one expected. It’s down to us and especially down to me to get the best out of them – that’s it.”
Following this defeat, Arsenal may need to beat Zurich in the last game in order to secure top spot, and Arteta was asked if changes will be made for the visit of the Swiss side to north London next week.
He replied: “We never planned to have a day off in that fixture because we know how difficult it is to win in Europe. You just have to see the other groups and where everybody is. We’re in a really good position – we’ve won four games and we have to finalise the job against Zurich at home in a week’s time, and we will prepare for that.”
THE VERDICT: REACTION NEEDED
It was simply an off-day for a lot of the players in the Arsenal team and it affected the general performance, which was rather flat as the Gunners struggled to create chances or trouble the opposition, getting just three of their 15 shots on target..
However, progression as group winners is still within reach, but firstly Arteta needs a reaction from his side as the resume Premier League duties against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
