Steve Gatting faced the media after Arsenal Under-21's defeat to Stoke City at Meadow Park on Friday. You can read what he said below:
on the unbeaten run being over…
It is disappointing I guess for the guys. Overall, I thought the performance had some very good parts to it. We played some good attacking football, perhaps a lack of concentration cost us for the goal and we created enough chances to score. But it was a game at both ends, one with the goal and the chances we had at the other end we did not take.
on if it was a fair result…
If you look at the game as whole, I think we dominated it. We had all the chances, I can’t remember Matt [Macey] making a save. We were better in possession and chances on goal, perhaps we should have done.
on if the lack of game time disturbed their rhythm…
I don’t think so. I think all the boys have played, most of them played under-19s, those that didn’t play for the 19s have gone and played international football during the break so they have all had games. I don’t think we can make that an excuse, at times I thought we were very good and it was not meant to be.
on Dan Crowley being back…
It is difficult for Dan coming back from Barnsley with 15,000 people watching him and playing adult football where it means a bit more - it is difficult to get back into under-21s football. He did okay for us and showed good character.
on the first-team football some players have got…
It is a great experience training with the first team. They learn a lot and improve themselves doing it and it is a great experience for them. They are improving. They are going in the right direction and our job is to now to take them to the next step which is in our first team.
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