‘We could have ended up losing’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his side played well in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United but could have easily lost.

The Gunners fought back from a goal down after Bruno Fernandes scored a free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Declan Rice curled a beautiful strike in off the post before shushing the Old Trafford crowd, but the Premier League’s second-placed side had to settle for a point.

And there was a huge chance for the hosts to win it at the end of the game, but for a David Raya save, not his first of the afternoon.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “When we had the first half that we had where we were exceptional, we didn’t test the keeper.

“We had some unbelievable situations but we didn’t get the last shot or the last pass. We didn’t capitalise, we rushed the game, we started to lose duels and we could have ended up losing it.

“The execution has to be in to the right player and the right player to shoot. How we conceded [chances] in certain moments was not acceptable. They have so much quality and they pick the right player and normally that would end in a goal.

“We opened the gate to lose the game. there was no chance to lose the game and we opened it ourselves. I will defend my players all the time but in those moments we have to do better.”

“It was a bit of stupidity from us.”

Declan Rice reacts to Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Man Utd pic.twitter.com/JcyXQi7PyG

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Rice echoed the thoughts of his manager, admitting they played well in spells but ultimately the draw was a fair result.

The England midfielder went on to add that although Arsenal now sit 15 points behind Liverpool in the title race, they will continue to push until the end of the season.

He said: “In the first half, we had some beautiful bits of play but didn’t have that cutting edge. In the second half, we were very naive and almost gave the game to Man United. To get back in the game and to score and keep pushing. It’s probably a fair point in the end.

“We scored seven midweek and that’s not luck. PSV hadn’t lost at home for two years. Man United did well and sat in the low block well. it can take 90 minutes to break that down. There wasn’t much in the game.

“I’ve not seen the goal back. It felt like the ball flew over us at a low height. It [the wall for the free-kick] did feel far back. Anthony [Taylor] is the ref, he makes that decision.

“I was happy. I think it’s a bit of football banter between me and the fans. It’s an area I want to keep getting in and I’ve been creating more chances. I need to keep adding goals. The manager wants to play me at number eight to add goals and assists.

“The chance at the end with Bruno and David making two great saves, that’s why I say that naivety. it was down to us and we could have thrown the game away.

“Like the manager said, we’ll keep going until the end of the season. Liverpool have been amazing all year. We’re Arsenal. We’ve been hit hard by injuries. We’ll keep going and we’ll be alright.”