Mikel Arteta admits to glaring Arsenal “problem” that could derail title push​

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Sports

Arsenal already find themselves seven points off the pace in the race for the Premier League crown and boss Mikel Arteta has sent a message to his side as they attempt to get back on track against Chelsea

​Arsenal already find themselves seven points off the pace in the race for the Premier League crown and boss Mikel Arteta has sent a message to his side as they attempt to get back on track against Chelsea Arsenal already find themselves seven points off the pace in the race for the Premier League crown and boss Mikel Arteta has sent a message to his side as they attempt to get back on track against Chelsea   

Mike Arteta has admitted his struggling Arsenal side have a “problem” scoring goals – but he insisted they do not need a “re-set” before Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

The Gunners have lost their last two games in the Premier League and Champions League without scoring a goal. And defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday could leave Arsenal ten points off leaders Liverpool.

In his pre-match press conference, defiant Arteta claimed: “We don’t need a reset. We need in one particular aspect to go from 95 to 100. I won’t tell you what that is.”

But the Spaniard went on to acknowledge he had to lift his players before a fourth consecutive away game – and said the missing element was finding the net.

“When you don’t win it affects the energy,” said Arteta. “The positive thing is there is nobody outside who wants to win more than me or those players. It is impossible. That desire, today I had a meeting about it and I could sense it straight away and the belief about how good we are as a team. What we did in Milan, having watched it back twice, I haven’t seen a team doing that against them.

“But you need to take that into winning a football match. That’s the only thing that people are going to judge. You can overrun the opponent you can outperform the opponent in every single way. It’s about whether you scored a goal. That’s the problem. The problem has to be resolved by scoring more goals than the opponents. That’s it.”

Only Brentford have had fewer shots on goal away from home in the Premier League this season. Asked if Sunday’s Chelsea is now a must-win for Arsenal’s title chances, Arteta responded: “Because we have missed certain points in the last few weeks so the margins become smaller and smaller.

“It doesn’t mean the margins don’t exist any more but there is more of a demand for perfection in the future. For sure we want to win. We have prepared the game to win it. That’s the only thing in our heads.”

Martin Odegaard
Arsenal slumped to a second conseuctive defeat against Inter Milan
(

Image:

Getty Images)

What team should Arsenal name vs Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Arteta has lost only one of his last 10 matches against Chelsea and the 5-0 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium in April hastened the end of Mauricio Pochettino. Now another former Pep Guardiola assistant – Enzo Maresca – has led the Blues to fourth place above Arsenal on goal difference.

“Really impressed by what Enzo’s done, but really impressed by what they’ve done over the past year,” Arteta added. “With Mauricio as well in the last six months they were extraordinary. You could see the squad and the quality that they have.

“Then Enzo has given his touch and you can see clearly what he wants to do. I think he has been very brave from day one to consistently follow what he wanted to do. I know what he thinks and I know a lot of people that know him well and are very happy with him that he’s making a lot of progress there.”

To maintain his unbeaten managerial record at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal will have to stop Cole Palmer. “That’s a question that all the managers in the league have had in the last year or so and he’s still managed to impact games in the right way,” added Arteta. “We will have a plan not just for Cole but to try minimise their threats qualities and to try and exploit all their weaknesses. Like any other team.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn more
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£46 (was £56)

image

Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

​Mirror – Sport

Trending News
Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

​Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One. Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.   

ByESPN

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

Max Cleworth opened the scoring after just seven minutes before Ollie Palmer doubled the hosts’ advantage on 25 minutes.

Oliver Rathbone netted the third with a header from a James McClean.

It moves Wrexham into second place with 31 points after 16 games, four points behind league leaders Wycombe who have a game in-hand.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

​AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances. AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.   

ByReuters

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

Juventus remain the only unbeaten side in Serie A but their seventh draw of the season means they remain sixth in the standings and are now three points behind leaders Inter Milan. Milan stay seventh, six points behind Juve, though they have played one game fewer.

Juventus, missing injured top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, opted to start without a recognised striker, with midfielders Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners leading the line and while they were the more positive side, they never really threatened to score.

The visitors’ manager Thiago Motta left it late to make any changes and the introduction of forward Timothy Weah 10 minutes from time failed to spark the game into life, with the final whistle greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Juventus were the livelier side in attack in the opening half but their only shot on target was a Federico Gatti effort from distance which did not trouble keeper Mike Maignan.

Milan’s only real chance before the break came after the first corner of the match in added time, with Emerson Royal heading wide of the near post.

“We have to continue to play with patience,” Motta told DAZN before the start of the second half, and his side remained true to his words.

Last month, Juventus came away from the San Siro with a point after a spectacular 4-4 draw with Inter but this match was the complete opposite as neither side ever really threatened to break the deadlock.

Khephren Thuram tried a curling shot from distance which fell into the arms of Maignan, and shortly afterwards Theo Hernández played a Milan free kick short to Tijjani Reijnders who blasted a wild shot high over the bar.

A weak Hernandez header straight at the keeper in added time will count as Milan’s only effort on target and the reaction from the crowd at the end summed up the game, a frustrating watch for both sets of fans.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

​Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.   

ByReuters

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sørloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

Alaves took an early lead from the penalty spot but Antoine Griezmann equalised in the 76th minute with a spot kick of their own before second-half substitute Sørloth bagged his fifth goal of the season to seal all three points.

Atlético provisionally moved up to second in LaLiga, four points behind leaders Barcelona who have two games in hand, while Alaves dropped to 16th.

“It’s an incredible amount, 700 games. Congratulations to him. The result is for him and the supporters,” Simeone’ son Giuliano, who livened things up in the second half and earned the man-of-the-match award, said.

“Alaves came here to compete and they fought hard, they made it difficult for us. That’s the way they are, that’s how they always play.

“I’m happy for what I was able to do when I came on but what’s more important is that we won the game.”

Atlético found themselves on the backfoot in the seventh minute when Javi Galan conceded a penalty with a handball when he had his arm raised to block a cross and Jon Guridi made no mistake from the spot when he sent Jan Oblak the wrong way.

The Metropolitano crowd fell silent after going 1-0 down but they found their voice when Griezmann set up Samuel Lino, who saw his shot smash into the crossbar before the visitors cleared the ball.

As Alaves stood firm in defence, a few boos and whistles could be heard as Atletico failed to make better use of their possession and played wasteful passes in the final third while Antonio Sivera was alert to danger and made several saves.

Simeone made two halftime substitutions with Giuliano and Sorloth coming on while Julian Alvarez was introduced at the hour mark, but Alaves’ disciplined defence kept the home side at bay.

Giuliano galvanised their attack and he seemed to be everywhere, popping up on both flanks, and he nearly scored an equaliser from a counter-attack when he raced through on goal, only to see his shot saved by the outstretched leg of Sivera.

Atletico received a lifeline in the 74th minute when Sorloth’s header hit the arm of defender Abdel Abqar to earn a penalty and although Sivera dived in the right direction, Griezmann’s spot kick found the back of the net.

With a draw on the cards, Rodrigo De Paul spotted Sørloth making a run in behind and the Norwegian’s thunderous strike squeezed in at the near post to give Atlético the win.

“We’re very sad, we played very well in the first half and started well in the second. We knew we’d be under constant pressure and the penalty hurt us,” Alaves defender Nahuel Tenaglia said.

“We just have to turn the page and put this result behind us.”

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.

​Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN. Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.   

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.

​Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday. Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.   

ByReuters

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.

It looked like Barça were cruising towards victory after they opened a two-goal lead thanks to strikes by captain Raphinha in the 15th minute and by Robert Lewandowski in the 61st, but the script changed after their midfielder Marc Casadó was sent off due to a second-yellow card for a foul in the 82nd minute.

With Barca down to 10-men, the home side piled on the pressure and managed to score twice with strikes by substitute Alfonso González and Hugo Álvarez in the 84th and 86th minutes respectively.

Barça top the LaLiga standings with 34 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid in second and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.

“We had the game under control, but the red-card really affected us,” said midfielder Gavi, who was making his first start since suffering an ACL tear with Spain national team over a year ago.

“Celta put us away in two very specific actions, if you loose focus, this is what happens… We can’t allow ourselves to have a player sent off because then those things happen.”

“Their first goal was stupid. We have to clear the ball away. And with one man down it’s difficult to get the three points. It’s football and we have to learn…”

Gavi was referring to Barca defender Jules Koundé mishandling the ball on the edge of Barca’s box that allowed Gonzalez to pounce and steal it before firing Celta’s first past goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.

Barca capitalised on a couple of bad mistakes by Celta defenders to score their goals in a game where the home-side were the dominant force.

Óscar Mingueza missed a header while trying to clear away a long ball from Koundé, allowing Raphinha to pounce and fire in the opener in the 15th minute.

Barca goalkeeper Pena made a string of saves to deny an equaliser and they were lucky not to go into the break a man down after Celta captain Iago Aspas was fouled with a tackle from behind by defender Gerard Martín, who already had a yellow card.

Celta players and coach asked for a second-yellow, but the referee only gave a verbal warning to the Barca academy player, while flashing a yellow to Aspas for complaining. A fuming Aspas had to be held back by his manager and team mates.

Another mistake by Mingueza allowed Barca to extend their lead in the 61st minute.

The distracted fullback lost possession to Raphinha, who passed to Lewandowski and the Polish striker eventually scored Barca’s second.

However, Casado’s two yellow cards in a seven-minute spell handed Celta an opportunity, with 21-year-old Alvarez equalising from close-range to rescue a point for the home side.

The result meant Barcelona are now winless in their last two games, following their 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad before the international break.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.