Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted that he is frustrated by Arsenal’s inability to prevent goals late in the match after Crystal Palace scored an equaliser in stoppage time.
The Spanish goalkeeper proved to be the hero for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out as he saved Maxence Lacroix’s spot kick.
Who was Arsenal’s star performer against Crystal Palace? ⭐
Let us know who you voted for in the comments…
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
It was a rather frustrating evening at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal, as despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, an own goal proved to be their only goal in 90 minutes.
Arrizabalaga has now called for his teammates to be more clinical in front of goal and to also be more alert in defence, especially in the latter stages of matches.
Kepa Arrizabalaga bemoans Arsenal’s late goal against Crystal Palace
Kepa Arrizabalaga has admitted that Arsenal must focus on preventing such late goals following Crystal Palace’s 95th-minute equaliser in the Carabao Cup.
The Eagles excellently worked a free-kick late into stoppage time, which Marc Guehi eventually turned in.
Recently, Arsenal have conceded four goals in the 90th minute or later, against Wolves, Aston Villa, Sunderland, and now Palace.
After the game, Arrizabalaga told Sky Sports: “I think we should take a couple of opportunities that we had in the first half. I think we played so well.
Sum up Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace using just three words
Perfect penalties prevail
Credit: Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“They changed, they adapted a little bit, and the second half was more 50-50. It’s something that we have to improve.
“We conceded a couple of goals in the last minute. So it’s something that we have to improve and focus on that.”
Mikel Arteta will surely need to work on ensuring Arsenal are alert at all stages of the match, or his team run the risk of dropping big points.
Ian Wright tells Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to be more ‘ruthless’
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Ian Wright has warned Arsenal that they must become more ‘ruthless’ in front of goal.
Wright told ITV Football: “I think they’re not taking their chances to be more relaxed in games. I think you’ve got to take those chances; it’s not easy, if it was, they would have done it no problem.
“But you’ve got to be more ruthless, especially in the first half with Noni Madueke. I thought the goalkeeper’s saves were good saves, but there were chances people should have been able to take.
Then you get more comfortable in the game and feel more confident. Maybe you can then bring on other players to see out the game.
“But we don’t seem to be doing that at the moment, and it’s something we’re going to have to learn to do if we’re going to win the title.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox