Mikel Arteta Expects A Big Second Battle Against Southampton

Arsenal were unsuccessful in defending the FA Cup as Southampton beat them 1-0.

Mikel Arteta picked a weaker line up for the fourth round tie which had a clear effect on the team’s performance.

With his best options set to return, Arteta predicts a better performance from his side. He told Arsenal.com, “It’s always strange. I think nobody likes to play the same team twice in three days. It’s what it is so let’s review the game, try to lift the players up because that was a big disappointment for us, and be ready for another battle.”

He continued, “Very sad because we wanted to progress in the competition. Disappointed with the way we lost it and the way we conceded the goal but we know that we should not be doing that in that area of the pitch. Then when we had our moments and our chances, we didn’t hit the target. That is really complicated to go through.

“Sometimes because the opposition does well and forces you to make those errors. This is a really high-pressing team and you have to be really sharp and know really well what you have to do in every area. Then it’s about execution and it’s about the way you lose that ball, in which areas you lose it against these types of teams. It’s something that we have to be better at.”

Arsenal had plenty of possession in the previous tie but could not convert their chances. When asked about that, Arteta responded, “Because we missed the chances. You’re not going to have 10 or 12 chances against this team. They’re really organised, they make it hard for you. But when we have three or four, we didn’t hit the target. It could’ve been a different game if we did.”