Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta furious after Everton defeat – ‘I don’t get it’

Arsenal: Arteta says club wants to listen to fans

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reacted to the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat with Everton. The Premier League showdown looked to be heading towards a draw. But Bernd Leno’s own goal gave the visitors all three points.

Arsenal went into the game looking to prove a point.

They, along with fierce rivals Tottenham, were widely mocked when they decided to join the European Super League in midweek.

Many felt Arsenal, whose last Premier League title came way back in 2004 during Arsene Wenger’s reign in charge, were unworthy of a seat at the table given their fall from grace.

Victory over Everton wouldn’t have silenced those doubters but would, at least, have given fans a reason to cheer. Even those who gathered outside to protest before the game.

That didn’t happen, however, with Bernd Leno’s own goal gifting the Toffees all three points.

The Germany international allowed Richarlison’s harmless ball across the box to squirm between his legs and into the net.

It was yet another disappointing result for Arsenal, who now sit below Everton in ninth in the Premier League table.

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But Arteta, speaking after the game, decided to take aim at the officials instead – who denied the Gunners a penalty because Nicolas Pepe was a fraction offside.

“On the pitch performance wise we were the better team, we controlled the game and we had some opportunities and openings. We had a clear penalty that was disallowed somehow and then we score an own goal.

“The penalty is clear, those decisions have been made after, I don’t know how or who by, we cannot see their faces to explain it. It’s the second time in two weeks.

“I can see the images 20 times and I don’t get it.

“Errors are part of football, we conceded an own goal that defined the game at the end. We didn’t create enough against a team that is well organised, we lacked clarity in the final third.

“We need to go through the disappointment and focus our energy, the semi-final is more than crucial for us. I don’t want to use any excuses, I understand the protests.”

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Thomas Partey labelled the defeat as painful, with the Ghana international saying: “It was painful.

“We created chances and they scored a goal with the chance they had, we have to forget about today and don’t make more mistakes. That has cost us a lot of games.

“It is part of football, the own goal has happened. We must be prepared to win the next game. We want to win all games.”

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged his side’s achievement after the game, admitting he was delighted to have the Toffees sitting in the top half of the table.

“A good result, important, we are still attached to the top of the table,” said the former Real Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan and Bayern Munich boss.

“We needed that. We keep fighting, we played a good game with difficulties.

“Defensively we were good, I am satisifed. To be honest it should have been a draw, Arsenal had more control of the ball. We were not clinical in possession. We deserved to win our last few games which were draws so we have those points back.

“Jordan Pickford did really well with a good save at the end, he was comfortable, good with the ball.

“After five games without a win it was an important victory. The race will be decided on the last game.”

Everton defender Mason Holgate was also delighted with his side’s victory, saying: “It’s brilliant.

“In the last few weeks we’ve been hit and miss so to dig deep and get the win is massive.

“Arsenal want the same thing as we do so to take the points from them is massive. We’ve got to be consistent now.

“It’s the best looking goal I’ve seen…It wasn’t the prettiest but a huge win.

“We have turned up in big games all season but the games we should be winning we haven’t. It’s down to us.”

He then added: “It was really important to stay attached to the top of the table. The performance was good. It’s all good news tonight and this gives us confidence for the next games.

“It [ending the 25-year wait for a win at Arsenal] is an unbelievable gift for our supporters. A good performance – not top, but solid. We tried to play if possible and we were lucky to score a goal.

“Arsenal played a good game and maybe they played better with the ball but defensively we were really solid. Finally I can say we are back. We had a difficult moment with lots of injuries but this victory gives us more motivation for the next games.”

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