Arsenal is conceding ‘too many simple goals’, Arteta says

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his team to improve their defensive play after they had to fight back to earn a 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

Arteta was unhappy with the north London side as they conceded two goals for the second successive game following their 3-2 Premier League win over Bournemouth last weekend.

“We are conceding too many simple goals and we’ve talked about the importance of boxes, especially in a competition where you are in or out,” Arteta said.

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“Today we didn’t defend that well, and we have to do better up against our opponents.”

“We had some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back in the game, but we need to defend our box much better and we have to be in the return leg to beat them,” Arteta added.