Mikel Arteta praises 'dominant' Arsenal despite drawing to Fulham

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Mikel Arteta praises ‘dominant’ Arsenal for reacting well despite giving ‘an incredible goal away’ against Fulham as Gunners boss highlights three players that ‘changed the game’ in 2-2 draw

  • Arsenal boss Arteta has praised his side for reacting well against Fulham 
  • The Gunners were unable to win despite Fulham being reduced to ten men 
  • WATCH: It’s All Coming Up – Mail Sport’s preview show for the weekend’s football

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised his side despite being unable to claim victory against ten-man Fulham on Saturday.

The Reds came from behind to make it 2-1 before Calvin Bassey was sent off for Fulham.

However, Joao Palhinha netted a late equaliser to see the points shared at the Emirates.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the match, Arteta praised his side for their reaction to giving away a soft goal when Bukayo Saka gave the ball to Fulham.

He said: ‘Right from the beginning, we gave an incredible goal away. You make life really difficult for yourself. But the team reacted really well. 

Mikel Arteta has praised his side despite being unable to beat Fulham on Saturday

The Gunners conceded late to Joao Palhinha as ten-man Fulham rescued a point

Arteta’s side missed the opportunity to go top of the Premier League table on Saturday

‘We dominated the game and created countless chances and should have scored five, six, seven goals easily.’

The Spaniard continued to discuss his side’s performance and thelate goal that they gave away.

‘And when you have done the most difficult thing which is to get back ahead against a team that is well organised, you have to defend your box from one corner,’ he cotinued. ‘It is the only chance they have and you get punished. 

‘Yet still you get another two chances and don’t score – that is the story of the game. The amount of things we did to merit to win the game comfortably, we end up with one point.’

The Arsenal boss continued by discussing the opening goal which saw Fulham go ahead after just one minute, as Saka gifted the ball to the visitors in on goal.

This meant that Arsenal became the first side in Premier League history to concede three goals in the first minute in a calendar year.

Arteta praised Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah for their substitute appearances

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Discussing the strike, he said: ‘We have this situation a thousand times in football [for the first goal]. We gave the ball away in a really dangerous area and it was a really cool finish.’

Finalising his analysis of the game, Arteta heaped praise on three Arsenal stars for their performances.

‘All three substitutes changed the game,’ he began. ‘Fabio [Vieira] was involved in everything we created and I am really happy with that. 

‘To see players with the ability to make and take chances with quality. The same with Eddie [Nketiah]. It is my fault that Fabio has not played more and today he gave me reasons to play him more.

‘We have to show another level of commitment and desire and ‘over my dead body’. With 10 men, you cannot concede a goal.’

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