Mikel Arteta admitted that Newcastle were “ten times better” than Arsenal, while also conceding that the Gunners’ performance in Monday’s defeat was nowhere like that of a side hoping to compete in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Champions League chances are over after a 2-0 loss against Newcastle on Monday, with Spurs now in pole position for a place in Europe’s premier competition.
And Arteta said that Arsenal “did nothing” in what was virtually a must-win game, leaving everyone disappointed.
What did Arteta say?
“Newcastle deserved to win the match and were much better than us,” he told Sky Sports. “We had nothing in the game. They were much better in every department and we were poor with the ball. A lot of things happened during the game, like substitutions for injuries, but it’s not an excuse because they were much better than us.
“It’s true that we could not cope with the game that we had to play here. We tried to change some things but it didn’t make it better. We had moments where we looked better but then the execution was so poor and the goals we gave away were extremely poor.
“It’s extremely disappointing that Newcastle were 10 times better than us and the performane was nowhere near the level we need to be at if we want to play in the Champions League.
“I am incredibly disappointed. It’s a very painful one. It was in our hands and [now] it’s not in our hands. We have to beat Everton and wait for Norwich to beat Spurs. There’s always a tiny chance in football.”
The Road to Champions League
Arsenal has already lost 13 Premier League games this season, the joint-most in a 38-game season.
This one, on the other hand, could prove to be the most expensive, with Tottenham now in pole position to secure a Champions League spot.
Spurs can secure fourth place with a win over last-place Norwich, while Arsenal must hope that their crosstown rivals drop points.
Arsenal will then need a win over Everton to keep their Champions League ambitions alive.
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