Unai Emery Reacts To First Loss After 22 Games

Arsenal’s 22-game unbeaten run ended last night against Southampton as the hosts scored off a counter late into the second half to make it 3-2.

Unai Emery did take it as a learning curve for the entire Gunners organization and stressed on how much the team still needs to improve.

“We could lose and we lost. In the second half we were better with control in the game and creating more chances than them, controlling the transitions. But with a very small action they scored the goal.”

Arsenal have gained the reputation of being a team which shows up in the second half of the game. Their last fixture was a similar case but unfortunately, the defence could not hold up against one of Saints’ counter attacks.

Emery did not shy away from crediting Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men. “Also they deserve it. They played with very big motivation, with the supporters pushing. Our game today was very similar to how we have played before, but the result is different.”

Other than losing the game and falling 3 points behind Chelsea in the standings, Emery will have to deal with injury to yet another defender, Hector Bellerin. The right-back was forced off the pitch in the second half and was substituted by Ainsley Maitland Niles.

“It’s true we need to improve and concede less chances to the opposition. Only when we analyse this match can we take a more real opinion about the goals we conceded.”

The Spanish boss is still clear on his goals for the season as he said, “The objective is the top four, but we know it’s not easy as the other teams are at a high level. We need to be very demanding of ourselves, as we are. After 22 matches unbeaten, we didn’t lose but were only in fifth position in the table, because other teams are doing very well.