Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has regretted what he described as “preventable goals” in the 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, Afrosport reports.
Goals from either half by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon condemned the Gunners to their first competitive loss since a 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League in early November.
It was also their first loss at the Emirates since a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League in April 2024.
Arteta stated the Newcastle were masters at creating chaos which they capitalised on to score and urged his team to do better in dealing with such.
“The two goals that we gave away. After the one or two deflections in the first one, the goal arrives. It’s preventable but they generate that chaos, they’re good at that,” he said.
“Then the second one, in particular, the first and second reception in the box and then the ball cannot get there to score the goal but it gets there. We can do better.”
Full-time at Emirates Stadium.
Attentions turn to Sunday. pic.twitter.com/PRZvJJoLK9
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 7, 2025
The defeat has partly dampened Arsenal’s shot at winning their second piece of silverware this season and when asked if his team are unlucky, Arteta added: “No. Well, compared to last season, and for example, in the Premier League, we are in the same position, we were knocked out of the Carabao Cup [earlier] so we are in a better position, considering everything that happened.
“I don’t really want to use that as an excuse, because the team still performs and competes with the best teams. We are one of the best teams in form right now and we produced much better things, so, no time to talk about this.”
Arsenal will face the daunting task of reversing their two-goal deficit in the return leg at St. James’ Park in a month’s time.
