Mikel Arteta reacts to Gunners’ difficult win, runners-up – ‘We want to be first’

On By Littum

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were never really worried about Ipswich Town in a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, but how will the Gunners’ mind view his side’s inability to find another goal in light of a first game without the injured star Bukayo Saka.

They won’t be replaying those 90 rain-soaked minutes in any “classic game” series anytime soon, as Arsenal flew out of the traps but settled into a possession-heavy game that didn’t deliver much over the last hour or so.

(MORE: Summary, highlights from Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich )

That left Ipswich within sight of an equalizer should they get a fun bounce or a moment of inspiration in north London.

Arsenal finished with 69% possession and 1.94 xG, conceding just 0.02 xGA per shot attempt, but the fine margins include a Gabriel Magalhaes header from a corner and five blocked shots by the Tractor Boys.

Arteta also confirmed that Saka underwent surgery on a torn hamstring, and will be missing for “more than two months”.

Mikel Arteta reaction — Arsenal boss on Gunners’ difficult but straightforward win over Ipswich Town

Closer than it should have been: “It was what it was. The first half in particular we were super dominant. We created some good chances. If anything, we should have had more than one. We didn’t start the second half well and gave the ball away from the kickoff.

“Credit to them. They were really well organised, really well coached. You have to score the second one in this league. The last few minutes they start to flow forward, play more direct and there’s more than anything the feeling that everything can happen eventually – we hate it.”

In the first game without Bukayo Saka: “Very good. It will be different. We had moments in the first half and better moments in the second half. The moments are new and it will take time for us to understand each other. I think (Martinelli) did well.”

About being number two: “Given the circumstances we had this season, the number of times we had to play with 10 men, the injuries, the overload of the games… It’s good, but that’s not where we want to be – we will be first.”