Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta attributed the team’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final loss at Southampton on Saturday (April 4) on himself. Just before the international break, the Gunners had lost to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.
The visitors made a slow start at St. Mary’s, falling behind to Ross Stewart’s 35th-minute opener as they trailed at the break. Substitute Viktor Gyokeres drilled home the equaliser 22 minutes from time to haul his team back on level terms.
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However, 12 minutes after defender Gabriel Magalhaes was substituted with a likely knee injury, the Gunners conceded an 85th-minute winner to Shea Charles as they exited two cup competitions in the space of as many weeks.
In a game the runaway Premier League leaders were expected to win, Arteta’s side flattered to deceive, but the Spaniard credited his squad for staying together as he took blame for their cup exit (as per Arsenal Buzz):
“I love my players. What they’ve done for nine months, the way they’re putting their bodies through everything, some of them probably didn’t even have to be here today. I’m going to defend them more than ever. If someone has to take responsibility, it’s me.”
The Gunners now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League, where they travel to Sporting CP on Tuesday (April 7) for the quarter-final first leg.
“Believe in what we’re doing” – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after FA Cup exit
With their defeat at Southampton in the FA Cuo last-eight on Saturday, Arsenal’s hopes of ending their six-year title drought remain alive in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Ahead of the aforementioned Champions League trip to Portugal in midweek to face Sporting, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta outlined his thoughts on how to return to winning ways:
“Giving (the players) clarity, even more conviction now, and trusting the players – believing in what we’re doing, continuing to do that with little tricks that every game demands,” he said in his post-match presser.
“But especially, maintaining the spirit, the attitude and the energy at the highest possible level, because that’s critical to perform at the level that we need to win matches.
The Gunners now have seven more games remaining in the Premier League – where they are chasing a first title since 2004 – and at least two more in the Champions League.
Edited by Bhargav
