MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 07:40:08| >> :60:2036:2036:

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
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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!