Luck was not on Arsenal’s side in a damp Tuesday night at Molineux Stadium where The Gunners slipped at an opportunity to take three points from an unconvincing Wolverhampton Wonderers side.
Fighting team spirit:
Mikel Arteta faced the media after the disappointing defeat to the Midlands based team.
The 38 Y/O Spaniard wanted to back his teams’ spirit and courage as the 9 players left remaining fought to keep the score respectable.
“First of all, I have to say that I am extremely proud of our team and the way we played, the way we dominated the first half we should have been up three or four nil.”
Arteta is here referring to the utter dominance that The Gunners showed in the first half. Bukayo Saka had opportunities with a shot hitting the post as well as a disallowed goal for offside. Arteta wished that Arsenal took their chances earlier on in the game and then they might have had more of a chance to get something out of the tie.
Did Luiz’s reputation affect his dismissal?
David Luiz’s reputation was questioned as well and if that played a part in him being sent off.
“I don’t want to think that. I’m sure that they made the decision based on them seeing something. Unfortunately, I’m sitting here expecting to see something and I’m not seeing anything.”
Arteta was clearly frustrated at the decision and bewildered as to where to the rationale to send off Luiz came from. Did referee Craig Pawson send-off Luiz due to him being well known for similar challenges or, because that individual challenge deserved a dismissal.
Key moments:
The first sending off dramatically affected the balance of the game and as it was just before half time it made it awkward for Arteta to how he would set his team up for the second period.
“Of course, this moment changed the game. If you play with 10 men for 45 minutes in the Premier League without a central defender against this opposition it will most definitely affect the game.”
“The boys were so convinced about going out there and giving it a real go. We didn’t concede any chances but Moutiniho scored a worldie.”
When Joao Moutiniho scored his special strike into the top corner, there was nothing the Arsenal team could do about it due to the sheer quality of the goal. For the rest of the second period, the Arsenal team did very well to not concede any other big chances to Wolves.
How he feels about the defeat:
Arteta addresses the defeat and how he feels about it in a short but sharp way and the bitter disappointment he feels.
“The way we lost the game is where it really hurts and its painful. I have to take positives as well in the way that the team is evolving, the way the team played against this team and the chances we created.”
Although the defeat was painful to all of the first team, Arteta was keen to point out the positives and where all Gunners fans can take heart. The perfect response from this for all involved at The North London club would be three points at Villa Park on Saturday when Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.