“Clear and Obvious” — Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s defeat

Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta, keen to steer clear of further FA scrutiny, addressed the media following a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa with a measured tone.

Arteta’s touchline absence at Villa Park stemmed from a one-game ban incurred due to an impassioned celebration during the Luton Town match.

While observing from the stands, Arteta witnessed John McGinn’s early goal securing victory for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side.

Arsenal, however, felt aggrieved by the referee and VAR’s decisions, notably a potential penalty claim when Douglas Luiz made contact with Gabriel Jesus’ calf. Moreover, an equalizer was disallowed as Kai Havertz’s close-range effort was ruled out for a handball.

In the post-match press conference, Arteta succinctly expressed his thoughts on the refereeing decisions, stating, “Clear and obvious,” when asked to elaborate, offering no further expansion. His response remained consistent when pressed for more details, indicating his unwavering stance on the matter.

In an interview with the BBC immediately after the game, Arteta reiterated, “It’s clear and obvious for me,” reflecting his unwavering conviction about the contentious decisions.

Despite the defeat, Arteta asserted that Arsenal, sitting just one point behind Liverpool in second place, displayed enough quality to warrant a win. He commended the team’s performance against formidable opposition but highlighted the need for better execution in crucial moments.

“The result. I’m really proud of the way the team played in this stadium against this team,” Arteta expressed. “We deserved to win the game but you have to be better in the boxes and things have to go your way as well.”

He also acknowledged areas for improvement, emphasizing the need for better control, ball retention, and composure during attacking transitions, especially in the second half.

Mikel Arteta remains adamant about Arsenal’s capabilities despite the setback, confident that refining key aspects of their play will ensure continued competitiveness in the title race.