London – Reuters
Arsenal manager Michael Artetta was disappointed with United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday night and said he was not performing well enough to qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal defender Ben White scored his own goal, and Bruno Guimaraes added a second for Newcastle, two points behind fourth-placed rivals Tottenham Hotspur before the final.
“It’s very disappointing,” Artetta told Sky Sports. Newcastle were 10 times better than us, and if we wanted to play in the Champions League there was no more performance than we had to do. This pain. It was in our hands, but not anymore.
Before Arsenal advanced to qualifying places for the Champions League, the Spanish coach enjoyed a tough start to the season, but said he was responsible for any defeats on the field.
“I’m responsible at all times,” Artetta told reporters when asked about his frustration with his players. If anyone made an exception this year at the start of the season unexpectedly, it would be this team of players, I will continue to defend them, but tonight (yesterday) things were pretty tough.
By one goal difference, Arsenal need a win against Everton on Sunday, and a win over second-placed Norwich City against Tottenham Hotspur to clinch fourth place. And Arteta added: “Football always has a weak chance.”