GIFT ROBERTS
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has expressed his disappointment over his team elimination from Europa League by a Spanish club, Villarreal.
The North London club played a goalless draw last night at the Emirate Stadium, a result that helped the Spanish club side qualified for the final with a 2-1 aggregate.
Speaking at a post-match interview, Arteta said they were devastated and hugely disappointed.
“In the first half, we were very imprecise with the ball… then, everything is much more difficult. We were probably a bit tense as well, and when we changed a few things, we got better.
“In the second half, we were much more dominant and created chances, more than them, over the two ties but not enough to win it.
“We are hugely disappointed because we wanted to deliver something special to them, the fans after the difficult season we had. But when you are playing these knockout games, you need your best players at their best to make things happen and we did not have enough of those in the best possible condition.
“For me, it’s very important that in the defining moments, you have everybody available, at their best and so many things happened to us and so many players just trying to be able to compete but not at their best and that’s a big disadvantage.
“We had so much enthusiasm and desire to be in that final. We know how much it meant to the club and our fans, to ourselves to be in that final, win a title and be in the Champions League next season. It’s a huge blow.”