Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was disappointed against Liverpool after his side lost 2-0 in the Carabao cup.
The Gunners were able to hold the Reds in the first leg with a man down but lost the opportunity to get to the final.
After the game the Spaniard said: “It’s very disappointing because obviously when you have the final there, one game away, you have a level of excitement and you are really looking forward to it. We did everything we could to put a competitive team out.
“I think we had our moments in the game against a top side. In the first half certainly when we had our chances, we hit the bar, and we have to score. In the second half at the beginning it was the same thing. When that happens, that’s the difference.
“The first time they go through our halfway line, they scored a goal, with a bit of luck. That changes the tie and the second time yes, we gave the ball in a dangerous area after just regaining the ball. And when they attack your space between the centre back and full back with one pass, it’s extremely dangerous because they have the quality to finish the game off.
Thomas Partey, who came back from African Nations cup after Ghana didn’t qualify for the knockout stage got a red card in the game.
“It is a big loss and we have to learn from that. We have played the last three games with ten men and against top sides you can’t do that because we are completely exposed. It’s difficult enough to beat them, but with ten men it becomes a real challenge and it’s not what we need with the amount of players we have out, not to have him available.”
On the mood of the team Arteta hails the supporters for their backings despite the defeat.
“I am extremely proud of how our supporters have tried to help the team, the momentum that we have created. Because I know what those players have done to play to tonight – five or six of them haven’t had any training sessions – and they were still willing to compete, and the way they competed against this team is in my opinion remarkable. So I will try to use that in a positive way, to use it towards Sunday.”
Source: Arsenal
