• Champions League

Arteta hits out at 'sloppy' Arsenal

ESPN staff
September 17, 2014
Arsenal's spineless performance

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has criticised his team for their "sloppy" defending in defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

Arsene Wenger's side went down 2-0 in Germany as fears were raised about another Jack Wilshere ankle injury and the manner of the defeat upset Arteta and his manager, who described the showing as "very average".

The midfielder said: "They put us under pressure, it was very sloppy from us to concede the goal with 20 seconds to go in the first-half from a long throw from the other side of the pitch and after you are 1-0 down, it's very difficult. We didn't perform well enough.

"They put a lot of pace and a lot of pressure up front. We've been playing here every year in the Champions League - but we couldn't cope with that and we gave the ball away too many times in our own half in difficult positions."

Wenger offered few excuses for Arsenal's below par display and Aaron Ramsey apologised to fans after a game that the Germans threatened to win by a bigger margin.

"We were not at the requested level tonight and Dortmund deserved their win," Wenger told Sky Sports. "We concede a goal just before half time and just after. Then the game was difficult, but despite our very average performance, we had plenty of chances.

"Energy wise, they had the higher level. Why? They had a much easier game than we did on Saturday, but it is not always scientifically predictable."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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