LONDON • Unai Emery said he is not worried that Arsenal failed to keep a first away clean sheet of the season, as first-half goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazatte secured a 2-1 win at Premier League bottom side Huddersfield.
The result kept the Gunners in the thick of the chase for a top-four finish and Champions League football although questions remain about their defensive frailty.
Deep into injury time on Saturday, Adama Diakhaby broke clear on goal, lifted the ball over Bernd Leno and watched as Sead Kolasinac turned into his own goal via an unfortunate deflection.
Not that Emery was too concerned about that late blot on his team's performance.
"A clean sheet is important, but our main worry is to win," he said. "The main thing is to score one more goal than them and, after that, it is to keep a clean sheet.
"Every player worked very well and the last action, unfortunately for us they scored and also maybe they deserved it."
Arsenal have won the joint most points in the final 10 minutes of matches this season, but relying heavily on second-half turnarounds and late shows could only go on for so long.
At the heart of the problem is their defensive record - Arsenal remain the only Premier League team without an away clean sheet.
Emery had cut an increasingly animated and frustrated figure on the touchline as his team failed to kill off Huddersfield in the first period, even surviving a strong penalty appeal after Jason Puncheon's shot struck the arm of Laurent Koscielny after 25 minutes.
"That is me," he said, explaining his antics. "It is my personality. If I am here, it is because in my career I progressed like that. If for one moment I thought it's negative, then I wouldn't do it."
The win moved Arsenal to within one point of fourth-placed Manchester United (51 points), even though Chelsea could regain fourth spot with a draw or win over champions Manchester City in their late match yesterday.
Insisting that a top-four finish was a realistic target, the Spaniard said: "I think it's difficult, but we can (finish in the top four). After 26 games, we are on our way and our motivation is very great and we've brought our target closer."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Tottenham v Porto LIVE: All the action here as starlets aim for European glory in quarter-final. The U19s are looking to make the semi-finals of the competition
Student aiming for Karate World and European Championship glory
Football: 'We want Messi to always be at Barca', says club
Atletico Madrid the greatest threat to Barcelona's La Liga hopes, says Ernesto Valverde Description: Barcelona have made four signings in the January transfer window, their latest move a 75-million-euro ($85.5 million) deal for Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who will arrive in July.
Atletico 'the greatest threat to Barca's La Liga hopes
Next: Official Site - Store Search | Find Your Nearest Store
Premier League: Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says coach Maurizio Sarri Description: Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea, who host London rivals West Ham on Monday, are fifth in the table, level on 63 points with fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri | Sport24
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said a majority of national soccer federations were in favour of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams. Infantino said a decision would be made by March, although it was still not clear whether an enlarged tournament would be feasible as it would be
Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World Cup in
jordantimes.com/news/sports/infantino-says-he-has-wide-support-48-team-world-cup-qatar
DOHA — FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that a majority of national football federations were in favour of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.Infantino said a decision would be made by March, although it was still not clear whether an enlarged tournament would be feasible as it would be "difficult" to stage in Qatar alone.
Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World Cup in
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino football is difficult but always it's about time. You can learn a lot from these difficult moments," Pochettino said. "The
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with
Legend Cannavaro named new coach of China Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at last.
Football: Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro named new coach of
Napoli could finish the weekend trailing Serie A leaders Juventus by 11 points after Carlo Ancelotti's wasteful side stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina, as Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal to get Inter Milan back winning against promoted Parma. Napoli Stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez Gets Inter Back Winning.
Napoli stumble at Fiorentina, Martinez gets Inter back winning
Real Madrid News: Santiago Solari 'trusts' VAR after Ajax win - Nicolas Tagliafico saw his opener ruled out due to a marginal offside call, a decision that Madrid's boss believes was correct Santiago Solari said head co - February 14th, 2019
Real Madrid News: Santiago Solari 'trusts' VAR after Ajax win
Football: Barca put one hand on title after edging past
0 comments:
Post a Comment