Mikel Arteta has expressed deep frustration after watching his Arsenal side’s first-half performance in their recent match against Liverpool. The Gunners, who are chasing the Premier League title, found themselves on the back foot early in the game, conceding two goals in just two minutes. Despite a more resilient second-half display, Arsenal could not recover fully, leaving Arteta seething with disappointment.
In an interview following the match, Arteta admitted to being “killing himself” as he watched his team struggle in the opening stages of the game. He was particularly upset with the lack of intensity and focus in the first 30 minutes. Arsenal’s defensive lapses allowed Liverpool to take control of the match early, and Arteta made it clear that such a performance would not be acceptable if they were to compete for the title in the future.
“We had a reaction but I hate reaction, I like action,” Arteta stated. “If we want to be there winning trophies, there will come a moment where you either win it or you don’t.” He further added that, although Arsenal managed to fight back after the break and secure a valuable point, it was not enough. The Gunners’ performance was marred by Mikel Merino’s red card, which was their sixth of the season, highlighting the team’s discipline issues.
The Spaniard also admitted that the loss of Declan Rice to injury had been a blow, and his absence was felt in the middle of the park. Rice, who has been an influential presence for Arsenal this season, is unlikely to return for their crucial clash against Newcastle in the coming week. With just two matches left in the season, Arsenal are guaranteed a spot in the Champions League next year, but their title challenge has effectively ended.
Despite the disappointment of being eliminated from the Champions League by PSG the previous week, Arteta’s comments suggested a determination to improve. “The title was Liverpool’s to lose, and they fully deserved to win it. They’ve been so consistent throughout the season,” Arteta acknowledged. However, he stressed that Arsenal must be better, smarter, and show greater resilience if they are to mount a more serious challenge next season. One of the key areas for improvement, according to Arteta, is the team’s discipline. He noted that Arsenal cannot afford to play with ten men on six occasions in a season and expect to win the title. He also pointed to the need for greater learning and growth from his players.
Looking ahead to next season, Arteta emphasized the importance of continuing to build a squad that is capable of sustaining a title challenge. While Arsenal’s chances of winning this year’s Premier League may have slipped away, the Spaniard remains focused on developing a squad that can be competitive at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy, who was recently appointed as coach of the Harambee Stars, has been making waves in Kenyan football. The South African coach has been praised for his work with the national team, and he explained the reasons behind his decision to take up the role. McCarthy revealed that he had turned down offers from both South Africa and European clubs in favor of the opportunity to manage Kenya. His appointment has generated a lot of excitement, and there is growing hope that McCarthy can lead the Harambee Stars to success on the international stage.
As Kenya looks forward to its future under McCarthy, the team’s performances in upcoming international fixtures will be closely scrutinized. McCarthy has already earned praise from Nigeria’s coach, who highlighted the potential within the Harambee Stars squad. However, the Nigerian coach also identified areas where the team still needs to improve in order to reach its full potential.
In local football, Gor Mahia has been embroiled in an internal clash, with tensions rising within the club as the much-anticipated Mashemeji Derby remains postponed. The delay of the derby has led to frustration among fans and players alike, but Gor Mahia will have to resolve their internal issues before they can focus on their upcoming fixtures.
