Mikel Arteta acknowledged an error in starting a £30M Arsenal player over a teammate, attributing a loss of 3 points to mistakes made during the Champions League clash with Lens in France. Despite an initial lead from Gabriel Jesus’ goal, Lens staged a comeback, with Adrien Thomasson and Elye Wahi’s strikes leading to Arsenal’s first defeat of the campaign. Arteta didn’t place sole blame on goalkeeper David Raya for the equalizer but noted that such errors are inevitable in football.
The Arsenal manager emphasized the need to be clinical in both attack and defense, especially in Champions League matches where clear-cut chances are scarce. He praised Lens as a strong opponent but criticized Arsenal’s performance, particularly their finishing and defending. Arteta lamented missed opportunities and the failure to generate enough threat in the final third. He acknowledged that the PSV game highlighted deficiencies in both attacking and defensive play, emphasizing the importance of improving in those areas to secure victories.
In addition to the defeat, Arteta expressed concern over Bukayo Saka’s injury. Saka, who had been withdrawn in previous Premier League games due to injury, faced another setback and had to be substituted before halftime against Lens. Arteta provided an update on Saka’s condition, mentioning that it was a specific injury caused by an action during the match. Looking ahead, Arsenal aims to bounce back against Manchester City, knowing it will be a challenging match in the upcoming fixture.
The defeat highlighted the need for strategic decisions in team selection, and Arteta’s admission of mistakes demonstrates his commitment to learning and improving. The challenges faced by Arsenal in the Champions League serve as valuable lessons, driving the team to work on their weaknesses and strive for better performances. With the upcoming match against Manchester City, Arsenal will be eager to showcase their resilience and determination to overcome tough opponents.
