Mikel Arteta Evaluates Arsenal Result Against Sporting Lisbon

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has evaluated the performance of his team in the Europa League against Sporting Lisbon.

The Spaniard was speaking in a post-match press conference after the game which was played in Portugal. He expressed his disappointment in the way his team have been conceding cheap goals in recent games.

We are conceding too many simple goals and we've talked about the importance of boxes, and especially in a competition where you are in or out. Today we didn't defend that well enough, and we have to do better up against our opponents.

Arsenal went ahead in the 22nd minute through William Saliba, the lead did not last for long after Goncalo Inacio equalised in the 34th minute before Paulinho made it 2-1 in the 55th. The visitors got the equalising goal when Hidemasa Morita netted an own goal in the 62nd minute.

The second leg will be played at the Emirates on Thursday, March 16, 2023.