Mixed emotions for Mikel after Brighton draw Interview News

After seeing his side pick up a point from their 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, Mikel Arteta was left with mixed emotions.

The boss was pleased to come away from a ground where the hosts have only been beaten once in the league all season with a result and solid performance, however having led through Ethan Nwaneri’s well-taken strike, seeing the win slip away courtesy of Joao Pedro’s second-half penalty was not what anyone wanted.

Mikel feels that the half-time departure of the 17-year-old goalscorer affected our display, but was still satisfied with the work-rate and commitment of his players who kept going to the end, albeit in vain.

“I’m always disappointed when you don’t win the game, but it’s a really tough place to come, they’re a good side,” Mikel said. “We started the game well and we controlled it in many ways without really being too present with the ball, but scoring a beautiful goal and not conceding anything at all.

“Then in the second half, we had to make the change with Ethan because he was injured, adapt a few things, and then we didn’t sustain the level with the ball especially, a lot of the simple things we have to do better we didn’t.

“It allowed us to have certain dominance, momentum and playing in the right areas, and the game was open without really conceding much apart from the chance with Minteh, which is disappointing, and then the decision comes that obviously changes the course of the game and it’s really frustrating.”

Mikel was once again forced into a defensive reshuffle with Thomas Partey moving into the backline to cover the suspended Jurrien Timber, but despite the constant personnel changes in the back four, our unit was again solid throughout, with David Raya untroubled for the majority of the encounter.

That pleased the manager who cannot fault the effort of his squad who continue to battle for silverware on four fronts, and with a huge opportunity to get to a final coming when Newcastle United arrive at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, he is hoping we can bounce back in style.

On our defensive solidity, he added: “That shows the attitude, the commitment of the defensive habits and how we apply them. I was phenomenal again - it wasn’t enough to win it and with the ball today, we lacked something, I understand, because we miss very important players that are key in our fluidity – it’s disappointing because we need to win the games.

“We’re playing every three days in different competitions and we’re having to deal with a lot of issues with the squad, but the boys really want it.

“We carry on going and on Tuesday we have a beautiful game, a semi-final, a beautiful game in front of our people, so bring the energy back and go for it.”