Mikel Arteta: Result Was Good, But Performance Wasn’t Enough

Mikel Arteta seeking drastic improvements after Watford win…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told his players that their performance level must improve despite securing a fourth consecutive Premier League win at Watford.

Arteta’s men led for the majority of the game, scoring three goals in the opening 50 minutes of the game, but a lack of control was evident throughout.

The relegation candidates were never out of the game and made it a nervy ending for us after pulling a goal back to 3-2 five minutes before time.

The boss scrutinised the team’s lack of defensive urgency at Vicarage Road and warned them that his league is unforgivable if performances like that become too frequent.

Victory against Roy Hodgson’s men took us into the top four, with the Gunners having the advantage of three games in hand on our nearest competitors.

“We were really good going forward and we scored three magnificent goals, but we didn’t have the same energy and commitment defensively,” Arteta told reporters after the game.

“When that happens away from home, you are going to suffer and that’s why we suffered today.

“I’m really happy we won, but it’s not going to be enough. We have to show the capacity to control the game.

“At 3-1, we have to make 300,000 passes in the opponent’s half and when they have the right moment to come at us, we can attack them, but we didn’t do that,” the 39-year-old added.

Given our lack of options, missing bonafide first-team players such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe is something we can’t cope with at the moment.

The aforementioned duo certainly give the team a sense of calmness and control and the sooner they can return the better.

A crucial week in the Premier League awaits us, starting with the visit of Leicester City.