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Arseblog 7mos ago
“We lacked threat” – Mikel Arteta reacts to late defeat at Porto
Source:Arseblog

Porto will head to Emirates Stadium in three weeks with a slender advantage after Galeno's stoppage-time strike secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal.

Having come into the game in fine form, Mikel Arteta's side couldn't find a way past a stubborn opponent, failing to have a single shot on target despite dominating possession.

The Gunners could, and should, have settled for a draw but their eagerness to launch a counter-attack at the end of the game backfired when the hosts stole the ball and Galeno curled past Raya.

Here's what Mikel Arteta had to say when he faced the TNT Sports cameras after the game...

On what he's said to his players...

Obviously that we have to manage much better when you cannot win. The way we handled the ball on three occasions in deep areas is not good enough. And then it's half-time. If you want to win the quarter-finals, you have to beat your opponent. And this is what we have to do at the Emirates now.

On what was lacking tonight...

We lacked threat, we lacked much more threat, more aggression [was needed] especially when we had the ball in the final third, especially in the back as well, more purpose to help them. So we will tweak a few things to attack better especially because to be fair we haven't conceded [chances] at all but we can do better.

On whether Porto made it hard or if his players weren't at it...

It's a team that is very well organised defensively and they break your rhythm all the time. It was 35-37 fouls in the game, so allowing that as well is not good enough. And there are certain things that we will have to do much better. We'll play at home, we know now, we know them and we know what to expect.

On not making the most of set piece opportunities...

First of all, we couldn't even touch anybody because everything was a free kick. But as well, we will learn from that, prepare better and go and do it.