The Fiji Occasions » Arsenal conceding too many easy objectives, says Arteta

LISBON (Reuters) – Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta urged his workforce to enhance their defence after they needed to struggle again to earn a 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon within the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

Arsenal went forward within the twenty second minute via William Saliba however Goncalo Inacio equalised within the thirty fourth minute earlier than Paulinho made it 2-1 within the fifty fifth. The guests lastly levelled phrases when Hidemasa Morita netted an personal purpose within the 62nd minute.

Arteta was sad with the north London aspect as they conceded two objectives for the second successive sport following their 3-2 Premier League win over Bournemouth final weekend.

“We’re conceding too many easy objectives and we’ve talked in regards to the significance of packing containers, and particularly in a contest the place you might be in or out,” Arteta advised reporters.

“Immediately we didn’t defend that nicely sufficient, and now we have to do higher up in opposition to our opponents.”

Arteta stated the workforce lacked their normal attacking menace owing to the absence of some key gamers, together with striker Gabriel Jesus who’s but to succeed in full health after struggling a knee damage on the World Cup in early December.

“We had some positives as a result of we confirmed lots of resilience to get again within the sport, however we have to defend our field significantly better and now we have to be within the return leg to beat them,” Arteta added.

The second leg can be performed on the Emirates on March 16.

Premier League leaders Arsenal, who’ve a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester Metropolis, will journey to Fulham for Sunday’s league sport.