Mikel Arteta has blamed Arsenal's limited squad depth for their struggles keeping up with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa saw Arsenal drop six points behind the leaders,
Arsenal managed Mikel Arteta refused to criticise VAR but slammed the defending for Ollie Watkins' equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Arsenal lost further ground on Liverpool in the title race, letting a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa. There were more injuries for Mikel Arteta to deal with before the game when William Saliba was ruled out with a muscular injury. Jurrien Timber covered at centre-back for the first time, with Thomas Partey moving to right-back.
Arsenal's lack of squad depth was exposed as Aston Villa came from 2-0 down to draw in the Premier League on Saturday against an injury-depleted side at the Emirates Stadium
Mikel Arteta wasn't happy with a decision during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Aston Villa, with the Gunners desperate for three points following title rivals Liverpool's late victory
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 17:30). Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his team were "nowhere near the standards" demanded of them after surrendering a two-goal lead against Aston Villa.
He was not even in the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Arsenal blew a two-goal lead and their Premier League title hopes took an almighty hit as Aston Villa fought their way to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly returned in the battling win over Wolves on Saturday, but Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card in that match and faces a suspension unless it is overturned. There was also fresh issues for Mikel Arteta to contend with, as Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were ruled out of the trip to Molineux.
Arsenal have reportedly made a huge bid for Benjamin Sesko as they look to sign a new striker in the final week of the January transfer window. Matheus Cunha is also said to be targeting a move to the Gunners,