Arsenal came away from their visit to Villareal with a 2-1 defeat.
Mikel Arteta by no means believes the Europa League semi-final tie is dead.
The Gunners still collected a crucial away goal through Nicolas Pepe’s second-half penalty. Arteta told BT Sport, “We didn’t want to come here and lose but after the way the game developed, you have to take the result. If you have to lose it is probably the best result we could have.
“Two different halves. We started to be us, in the first half there were so many moments we weren’t.
“We started to chase and were not precise with the ball, didn’t have enough control. We didn’t have enough threat or desire to attack the box, in the second half it was completely different.
“We are very used to that (Bukayo Saka playing well) this season, but it tells us we need to do much more as we cannot always rely on him. Bernd Leno was very good, at 2-0, the chance with Gerard Moreno, he saved us.
“We had a big chance with Auba to draw the game. I am confident we have a chance to win.”
Arsenal will face Newcastle United this Sunday before hosting Villarreal at the Emirates.
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