The winger had helped give us the lead in the first half, laying on the assist for Kai Havertz to lob Bart Verbruggen. It means Bukayo has contributed assists in each of our opening three Premier League games, the only other player to have done that for us was Thierry Henry.
“Of course it’s something I can be proud of,” he said after the game, “but it’s a bit hard to be happy with this especially when we don’t get the win.
“I thought we had the game in our hands,” he added, “then a big decision turned the game completely and we had to fight and dig until the end. We got a point in the end but it’s still a bit disappointing at the same time.”
Despite playing the second half with ten men, we carved out chances to win the game, and looked dangerous on the break. Bukayo himself had a penalty appeal turned down, and was just inches away from making proper contact with a Kai Havertz cross.
“At first it was a bit difficult for us but once we adjusted, we defended really well, we had a few chances in the end and could have even nicked it. A big credit to the boys, we fought hard, and we take the point and move.” He Said via Arsenal.com
Arteta Speaks via Arsenal news.com
On his thoughts on the game…
It was a very emotional afternoon, for sure. We started the game really well, created three or four chances that we didn’t convert. After that we had a period with some issues, particularly with the ball and we lacked some dominance in that period. We then score a really good goal in a moment when we take advantage of the opponent. Then we go in at half-time, come back and we were really strong. Then the referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game. With 10 men, the team reacted unbelievably well, the stadium reacts unbelievably well and we should have won the game.
On Declan Rice’s red card…
I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there were two incidents and nothing happened. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan, he turns around, doesn’t see the player coming and touches the ball. By law, he can make that call, but by law then he needs to make the next call which is a red card. So we play 10 against 11. This amazed me, at this level.
On whether he’s spoken to Rice…
Yes. Obviously he had a reaction. Anyway, I will repeat myself. By law, you want to do it but you didn’t do it in the first half. And then we have to play 11 against 10. Very simple
On striving to be perfect and our two missed chances late on…
Yes for sure. During this period, how well we controlled the emotional part of the game because it was a really hard one to take. The team reacted and showed a lot of discipline. We adapted to what we had to do, playing at home with 10 men and we don’t want to be sitting deep for so long. We played the game that we had to play and we should’ve been rewarded.
On being without Rice for the north London derby…
This is what happens. We have other players that can fulfil and we can give an opportunity to someone else.
On the process of getting Sterling up to speed…
Yes, we’ll have to see and speak to him on what he’s been doing and how he’s feeling about it. We have to try to find quick wins to get him up to speed as quick as possible and him understanding what we are looking for from him and the dynamics of the team. We will use this time to do that and as soon as possible, get him involved.
On how we can improve on inconsistencies in decisions…
I don’t know. This is not in our hands.
On Jurrien Timber…
No, he was I think cramping. He got a kick in the first half and was cramping so we had to take him off.
