MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 15:18:21| >> :60:831:831:

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:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Santi Cazorla
Read Next:
Wenger feels for Spanish pair
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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!