Mikel Arteta Insists Arsenal Must “Defend Better” After Luton Thriller

By The Editor
on 6th December 2023

Mikel Arteta issues defensive warning…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has warned his team that they must defend the box better after conceding three goals in our 4-3 thriller against Luton on Tuesday night.

Arteta’s usually sound defensive unit conceded two goals from set-pieces, doubling the number of goals we’ve let in away from home this season on a single night.

The Spaniard will be thanking his lucky stars that his attacking outlets had their shooting boots on, especially Declan Rice who grabbed the 97th-minute winner.

The boss decided to address his defence as a whole, though most of the proverbial fingers will be pointed towards David Raya who really should’ve prevented two of Luton’s efforts.

Defensively, the assignments in the Premier League continue as the squad prepares for a trip to Villa Park to face our former manager Unai Emery.

“We have to defend better the situations as a team,” Arteta told the press after the game.

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“There are certain things leading to the goals and it’s not about blaming, we have never done it, and we’re not going to do it now. It’s about how the team reacts to that, because it’s going to happen, and I love that response.”

When pushed on Raya’s involvement in some of the goals, Arteta once again refrained from singling out his compatriot: “I think we can defend the goals much better, that’s for sure.”

Raya’s ‘error’ at Kenilworth Road do seem rectifiable on the training pitch. Having said that, even contemplating a change between the sticks isn’t an option for Arteta at the moment.

Aaron Ramsdale had a chance to impress at Brentford and he was a nervous wreck who only had sheer luck to thank for not giving away two goals under minimal pressure.