MX23RW : Monday, January 13 09:06:59| >> :60:2327:2327:

Mikel Arteta disappointed with Arsenal defending

Arteta disappointed with Arsenal defending
© PA Photos
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta describes his side's defending of set pieces during their past two Premier League matches as "not good enough".

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has said that his side's defending of set pieces during their past two Premier League matches has not been good enough.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend, after Joleon Lescott had put the English champions ahead by heading home David Silva's first-half corner.

Arsene Wenger's men were then beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea yesterday, with both goals coming from Juan Mata free kicks.

"We have conceded three goals from three set pieces in the last two games that cost us points and it is not good enough," said Arteta.

"I don't think it is something to do with the defence, it is to do with an individual set-up in the game, which is a free kick or a corner or whatever, and we haven't defended the ball well enough and we conceded three goals in those two games.

"You cannot blame one player, you have to clear the lines so quickly and you cannot allow runners like that in the box, and it was the same sort of ball for both goals.

"It hurts when you lose points at home against teams like that and you feel you haven't deserved to lose. It is frustrating, but I think it was our own fault because we didn't defend those set pieces."

Arsenal are currently seventh in the Premier League table, having taken nine points from their opening six matches.

ID:47807: cacheID:47807:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2704:
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Santi Cazorla
Read Next:
Wenger feels for Spanish pair
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!