Arsenal manager, Unai Emery felt his side had the opportunity to get the result they wanted to, after drawing 1-1 with Brighton at The Amex.

Emery felt the first half was key for his side where they had a chance to potentially kill off the game. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored early on and then could have added another goal which might have changed the way the match went. The Premier League's top scorer saw two opportunities denied brilliantly by Mat Ryan.

"I think the key today in the match was the first 45 minutes, where we controlled the match like we wanted to and we also scored and we had the opportunity to get the result we wanted, with another two great chances from Aubameyang to get the second, but their goalkeeper made two good saves."

"Then they(Brighton) equalised to give us the second half to try again to control the match and create the chances available to win the match, but the second half we did not do that."

Ozil a debate once more

Emery also touched on why he took Mesut Ozil off at half-time, with Arsenal then struggling to create chances in the second half: "It’s only tactically, we created chances before in other matches when we have changed the idea or the team at half time with other players.

"Today we decided to do that with Mesut, but this is only tactically and not another problem."

Emery also discussed the mistake for the Brighton goal and whether it was frustrating: “It’s football, we are in a process, we are improving. It’s difficult for us because also for us we have some injuries, but also I want to look at other players playing in the big game like today and Saturday another match at Liverpool.

“When it is taking one option away in a position for a player with an injury, it is opening the door for other players to come in and play.

“We need that and also to use a different system tactically either because we cannot play with changing players in the positions like we finished with Xhaka centre back.

“But we are in a process and this draw is not the best, but it is not the worst," Emery added. 

Emery apologises for water bottle incident

Another talking point from the game was Emery kicking a water bottle on the touchline, which hit a Brighton supporter and the Arsenal boss had the following to say on the incident: "Yes I said to the fan I apologise because I kicked the water bottle and it was one disappointing action for us in the last minute, but it was not hard, but it did touch one supporter and so I said sorry for that."

Arsenal now head to Liverpool on Saturday at Anfield, which will provide a big test and tell you where the Gunners are in terms of their top four credentials.

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