Post-Chelsea quotes round-up: Arteta, Maresca, Merino, Raya, Merson & more
11/10/2024 03:19 PM
A visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday saw Arsenal earn a 1-1 draw, making it four Premier League games without a win and a nine-point gap to league leaders Liverpool as the November international break begins.
Gabriel Martinelli netted the first goal of the game — the first time in four Premier League away games Arsenal have scored the opener — after some fine work by Martin Odegaard but that strike was cancelled out by Pedro Neto’s equaliser.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos had to say after the game …
Mikel Arteta on his mixed emotions …
I am very disappointed but very proud as well with what I have seen from the team again. We did the most difficult one to score the first goal but very disappointed with the way we conceded. The standards and our defensive habits were nowhere near. They have quality and if you give them space they are going to punish you. But then the team reacted in a way that was fabulous with the desire to win, show initiative, take risks and be so dominant but we didn't manage to score the [winning] goal.
Source: BBC Sport
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Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s approach …
It was quite clear what they were doing, especially in the build up they drop a lot — Partey next to the central defender, Rice to the next central defender — so in that moment we have to take a decision, if you go and you are aggressive then you probably leave space in the middle because you have to go (with your midfielders), so you leave a big gap in the middle.
Source: Sky Sports
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It may have been two points dropped for Arsenal, but they can be happy to see Martin Ødegaard back and playing the whole game against Chelsea.
The Norwegian came back from injury with an assist, and he completed 92% of his passes at Stamford Bridge.#CHEARSpic.twitter.com/k2XQDD4Wue
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 10, 2024
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Mikel Arteta on another tough away game …
They destroy every team that comes here in every way, but I thought we were superb. We were very unlucky. We have dominated one of the best teams in Europe but we don't get the results. That is what is missing.
Source: BBC Sport
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Mikel Merino on responding to the equaliser …
It was a really tough game, it is always difficult to get three points at Stamford Bridge. We conceded a goal with a mistake but we have to take the positives and regroup. I was a few centimetres away from the winning goal but that is the margins in football.
Source: Premier League
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Results
Arsenal have dropped points in 6⃣ of their opening 11 Premier League matches.
2-0 Wolves H
2-0 Aston Villa A
1-1 Brighton H
1-0 Tottenham A
2-2 Man City A
4-2 Leicester H
3-1 Southampton H
0-2 Bournemouth A
2-2 Liverpool H
0-1 Newcastle A
1-1… pic.twitter.com/s6d8fVAc12— afcstuff (@afcstuff) November 10, 2024
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Mikel Arteta on battling with injuries …
What I am just praying is that after the international break I have the team fully equipped physically, they are available and they are fit because it has been an absolute nightmare for eight weeks. Issue after issue, not only the ones that are not able to play, but the ones that are able to play only for certain moments, only for certain days, not able to train.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Marc Cucurella on facing Bukayo Saka …
Bukayo Saka is a top player. We’ve played a lot of times against each other, there is huge respect there. It is a good battle and hopefully we can have more. I try to not give him space and always be close to him. We knew he is a special talent and do my work and help my team. I tried to show the best of me.
Source: Premier League
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Arsenal have now failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 7⃣ Premier League matches.
Manchester City
Leicester City
Southampton
Bournemouth
Liverpool
Newcastle
Chelsea pic.twitter.com/pj3xi6noyM— afcstuff (@afcstuff) November 10, 2024
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Mikel Arteta on Rice and Saka’s injuries and England call-ups …
It doesn't look good because two players of that importance tell you that they cannot continue in the game, so it obviously isn't good news.
I don't expect them to be fit, because if they were, they wouldn't have come off.
Source: Arsenal.com
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David Raya on dropped points …
We are disappointed. We are going to be disappointed to get just one point, especially the way we played, the way we approached the game and the chances we created but I think we showed what we are about.mes. We have to take the positives and focus on the next one.
Source: BBC Sport
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Arsenal are UNBEATEN in all 14 of their Premier League games against ‘Big Six’ opponents since the start of last season:
WDWDDWWDWWWDDD
[@Squawka] pic.twitter.com/xMYxWHQElt
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) November 10, 2024
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Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard’s performance …
I don't know any other player in the league that is capable of doing that after six weeks out, he had a day and a half, a training and a half. Just physically and mentally to be connected the way he was with the team is unbelievable.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Paul Merson on confidence and the title race …
Arsenal have got a bullseye on their back, they’re a big team, everybody wants to beat them. I think their confidence is a bit low at the moment, I didn’t think it was free flowing today, I thought it was a bit stop and start and when your confidence goes not everyone wants the ball.
They’ve got to get on a run now, they’ve got to get consistent. They can reel off five or six wins and they’ll have to.
Source:Sky Sports
That’s now 8 points dropped from winning positions after just 11 games in the PL this season
As many as in the whole of 2022-23, and just one fewer than in the whole of 2023-24
— Tom Ede (@TomEde1) November 10, 2024
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David Raya on having Martin Odegaard back …
We know how important Martin is for us, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well. He drives us, he gives us that extra edge, of course, he's the club captain as well. He just shows on the pitch the quality he has and what he gives to the team, so we're really happy to have him back.
Source:Arsenal.com
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Arteta on dealing with setbacks …
When it gets nasty, show your teeth and show how much you want it. When it's Disneyland, it's easy, everyone is next to you and telling you how beautiful you are and when it gets dark and difficult, everyone is questioning it. That's when I want to see people, that's when I'm always looking around, who's going to step in that role, yes or no.
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