After seeing us exit the FA Cup thanks to a 2-0 loss against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta rued the missed opportunities that allowed the Reds to progress at our expense.
A Jakub Kiwior own goal and a late Luis Diaz breakaway strike saw our interest in the competition end at the third round stage, but we squandered a number of opportunities to take the lead, especially during the first 45 minutes when we pepped the opposition goal but couldn't quite snatch the opener.
Mikel felt that our display meant we deserved to be in the draw for the next round, but ultimately our profligacy in front of goal cost us.
“It was a really disappointing result with a big performance against probably the team that is the most in-form in Europe. We were better than them, we generated much more than them, we created so many chances but we didn’t capitalise.
“Against these teams, you have to capitalise if you want to win. If you don’t score in that box, and then you concede an own goal and the second one like we did, it is difficult to win.
“It’s football, and you have to realise the situation and know we’re going to have to generate more and shoot better and arrive in better positions, but today we had plenty. Today we were better than them, and we should have won the game, there’s no question about that.”
The squad head off to Dubai next week for some warm-weather training and a chance to reset and regroup after a tough run of games, and some disappointing results.
Mikel feels that will be beneficial for everyone as he looks to get back to winning ways ahead of our game against Crystal Palace in two weeks’ time, when he hopes to give our supporters something to cheer once again, but wants everyone to remain united in our quest to do just that.
On the trip, he said: “The players need it because we cannot question their effort, what they’ve done today, and the attitude they have played with, the courage, aggression - everything is there but the ball is not going in the right direction at the moment in the opponents’ half, and then you concede an own goal which is incredible.
“We have to change momentum, that’s for sure, and we need our players and we need our people as well. In the difficult moments, we stick together and get behind those players that, in my opinion, deserve so much.
“They appreciate that and we stick together and do what we have done in the past. There is nothing new, results will come and enjoyment will come.”
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