Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is “very proud” of his players after they beat Aston Villa 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Bukayo Saka’s 30th-minute strike was the difference between the two sides on the day. Arteta, though, admitted it was a “shame” they didn’t score another two goals to put the game to bed.
Mikel Arteta said: “We talked before the game that we have to be sharp, we have to be physical and we have to be very clever in what we want to do because we expected them to come at us in the first few minutes. We totally controlled the game and scored the first goal. It was a shame we didn’t score the second or third and that was the difference because when you don’t do that you have to dig deep in the last few minutes. We have to take the team forward in the last 20-25 metres because when you have those chances, you have to put them in the net. In the Premier League you cannot dominate 96 minutes, this is impossible. But, I’m really pleased with the spirit, the quality, the understanding of the game, how we competed in every phase of the play. I’m very proud of the boys.”
