"We were extremely disappointed with the manner of the defeat", Arteta stated following the match at Villa Park. "First, we must congratulate Aston Villa; they are a quality team. We faced challenges in the first half, especially with unusual turnovers immediately after winning possession, which is dangerous against their playing style".
In the match, Matty Cash put Aston Villa ahead before Leandro Trossard equalized for Arsenal. The two teams battled closely until the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, when Emiliano Buendia seized an opportunity with a shot inside the box, securing the 2-1 victory.
This result ended Arsenal's 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, a run that began after a 0-1 loss to Liverpool in the third round of the English Premier League on 31/8. The "Gunners" remain at the top of the table with 33 points, but Manchester City—who defeated newly promoted Sunderland 3-0 in a later match—closed the gap to two points.
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Manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after Arsenal's 1-2 loss to Aston Villa in week 15 of the English Premier League at Villa Park, Birmingham, England on 6/12. Photo: Arsenal FC
According to Arteta, Arsenal played defensively in the first half, preventing Aston Villa from creating any significant chances beyond the opening goal. In the second half, Arsenal started well, created opportunities, and quickly equalized, leading the Spanish coach to believe his team would secure a comeback victory.
"We could have lost earlier due to two individual errors, but then we had a chance to score and win", he explained. "The final ball went past Declan Rice's foot and wasn't converted. Immediately after, there was a long clearance, the ball rebounded, we cleared out wide, they threw it in quickly, the penalty area became chaotic, and then a shot went into the top corner. That's the quality of this league".
Arteta believes the result reflects the intensity of the English Premier League. "You go to Old Trafford, St James’ Park, Stamford Bridge, and then here—all tough venues", the 43-year-old manager remarked. "We were unbeaten for 18 matches, but things are still very tight. That's the level of the league, and it's an opportunity we must seize. Now is the time to bounce back. The players have given me every reason to believe we will return stronger".
When asked if the congested fixture schedule impacted Arsenal's performance, Arteta was unsure but acknowledged his players made some inconsistent decisions. The Spanish coach also refused to use injuries as an excuse for the defeat, despite the team missing three central defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera.
Next week, Arsenal will play two more matches: against Club Brugge in the Champions League on 10/12, followed by Wolves in the English Premier League three days later. Arteta expressed a desire to play immediately to shake off the feeling of defeat, but also emphasized that Arsenal must maintain emotional balance throughout the season.
"The unbeaten run had to end at some point; we didn't want it to stop today, but now it's time to reflect and move forward", he stated. "If we could play right away, I'd be happy, but the team also needs time to clear its head and learn. A lot has happened in recent weeks, but the squad has shown a great attitude and spirit".
Hong Duy (via Arsenal.com)
