Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal are lacking a “spark” after his goal-shy players drew another blank.
Arsenal fell further behind leaders Liverpool and the title race looks all but over with Arteta’s failing to find the net for the second game running. But Arteta insisted they will not give up on their season even after admitting wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are not close to a return.
Gunners boss Arteta said: “It doesn’t feel good. We’re here to win. But we showed unquestionable character, how much we wanted it and tried.
"We dominated the game. We tried in many different ways. We insisted but lacked that spark, that final pass to unlock a well organised team. We have to generate more shots on target.
“It was a very different standard to the West Ham game on Saturday. We defended with energy, purpose, fight, willingness to make things happen. It wasn’t because we lacked that. We tried until the end but weren’t able to do it."
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the season while Saka and Martinelli are still on schedule to return after the international break.
Arteta added: “Gabby and Bukayo have been out for a long time so we cannot rush it. Maybe Gabby is just ahead of Bukayo but we will have to find solutions and work with what we have.
“But there is a lot left in the season and there is a lot to play for. The Champions League is a beautiful competition and we look forward to playing in it. The only thing we can do is win our matches and see how many points we get."
Forest boss Nuno said: “We played well. We were aggressive, determined and the big positive was a clean sheet. We have missed the City Ground and it gave us energy and an atmosphere. It was huge for us.”
Kelvlewin17
0
Stupid Arteta
Yiabcklnoy
0
To me Arteta is doing his best, upon all the injuries crisis.
bubbilopuz
1
My fear is that there will be an exodus of the current talent we have bc of the LACK of ambition from the Brass to win 🏆 ..... Saliba, Magalhàes, even our beloved Saka.....why did we but Declan Rice again...absolutely shyt OR Arteta doesn't know how to use him effectively....he's done nothing n continues to do it.
not lack of ambition, arteta just never spent the over half billion given to him wisely, he went and bought name and price players thinking he can spend his way to a title but you got to actually coach players as well this isnt the farmer's league in Spain and France where u just buy name players and win,others will out coach you and that's wat happening
bubbilopuz
0
did he say a coach?or his usual excuses of blaming refs
Biyabdertu
1
knowing if fired he will have to be compensated
riwcdns
0
I wonder why some of us don't understand the injury crises in Arsenal at the moment, many team won't survive that in second position, ask man city and pep. liverpool have been lucky with injuries, pls lets face fact.
Widbiltz
0
Arteta, how will you feel when Slot lift the season EPL trophy for Liverpool? You gat no excuse man
LarryOJ1
1
What stupid Spark without a Striker this Arteta is sick on his own and after next season nothing is won make them just sack am
Raeeipruz
0
complaining doesn't solve problems..fix it and come back better and stronger
for how long bro, Arsenal does not need a baby coach anymore. He had tried it in 3 seasons with same result.
Raeeipruz
1
Am still amazed, he sold Balogun, Nketiah, no replacement and they couldn't manage Chido's case. Now he is in troubling waters now.he also had the opportunity to sign during the winter but he didnot. what i feel he is trying justify the money he wasted on Kai Havertz. this way, sorry Arteta can't go far
firMINO1
1
complaining doesn't solve problems..fix it and come back better and stronger
teneiklmuy
1
Arteta must go !!!!!! He is arrogant!!!!!
Raubdlnosu
0
medicine after death
dobdklntuz
0
this guy needs to be sacked!
He need to be sacked so that your mother will come and coach
Lawbenop
1
Arteta wants to be like pep , man city won the league without a striker so he think he can do the same and be called a genius ..but he did not realize he does not have the caliber of players pep had at his disposal..sorry have a mind of your own
kolonegooner
2
My fear is that there will be an exodus of the current talent we have bc of the LACK of ambition from the Brass to win 🏆 ..... Saliba, Magalhàes, even our beloved Saka.....why did we but Declan Rice again...absolutely shyt OR Arteta doesn't know how to use him effectively....he's done nothing n continues to do it.
kolonegooner
0
Arteta is not a serious coach if Arsenal wants to win a cup he should be sacked
and bring in who
kolonegooner
1
Sometimes the management board just kills the spirit of we the supporters with these silly excuses .Imagine you know ur weakness and you don’t work towards it,how then do you expect things to change?
💯% it's comical
kolonegooner
1
Lack of creativeness was the issue....which comes down to the personnel in which to pick your team from .... How MA does not see the REALITY of the situation is truly comical ..... everyone and their great Aunt want Arseanl to fail. I question if MA is part of that goon squad. BC his answers don't recognize the true issues plaging us.
AtingaRoland
3
Sometimes the management board just kills the spirit of we the supporters with these silly excuses .Imagine you know ur weakness and you don’t work towards it,how then do you expect things to change?
Keplnrsuz
1
stupid coach keep quiet you are wasting money for nothing you had the chance to bring in replacement you brought in liabilities
Naeabmnopz
1
am so pity for us the supporters we like this club but the management keeping on every year they frustrated us God will punish them for us inshallah
Naeabmnopz
0
this arsenal board they can't change their mentality to win a trophy
Naeabmnopz
1
We might even fall behind further due to your inability to think of buying a striker who can make a difference .You are a fake person
yeah that's true
Lumakmnpru
2
We might even fall behind further due to your inability to think of buying a striker who can make a difference .You are a fake person
Suaabdeiky
3
Arteta is a championship coach, he refused to sign a striker knowing very well we need a striking force.
suzcdnptuy
5
God go punish Arteta and the Arsenal boards
rombikosyz
4
if Liverpool and Manchester city not in the league arsenal still not going to win the league
wekabiopry
3
What arsenal is lacking isn't a spark but a good and experienced coach who has the ability and experience to manage arsenal as we will NEVER win the league or any other trophy with arteta as our coach. That just can't happen
Mencdikuyz
2
this guy needs to be sacked!
Yobablrsz
1
your stupid to have said that , were not on transfer market , what did u do, to bost the term nothing
Tekabekmny
1
You know what they lack but you refused to sign a Striker .
Voadeklmpr
0
The one thing that is lacking is you not being sacked.
Dasbcdemop
1
striker 9
Yawoozo
0
We lack wisdom to sign strikers
Dekclmnu
2
Arteta has done nothing but make excuses yet Unai Emery was sacked, I guess he's having the last laugh now!
Rizbeilnr
1
Arteta is not a serious coach if Arsenal wants to win a cup he should be sacked
dee_59
1
For Arteta and Gunners the title race is over. As usual they will have to settle with top four finish..
Losblrsy
4
Arteta must stay for at least 5more yrs What do you think?
kukdknoyz
1
No "Spark" will get the elephant on top of the tree that it fell from, not long ago.
radiknry
1
arteta arsenal lack good coach period
goonersgun
3
Arteta out useless
Fopbenorst
4
Mikel Arteta is below average
loceimnptz
0
Yes, those things you never knew and couldn't have taught them.
zusdlmst
0
the problem you is guys that don't wanna sign a strike..man up and take the blame..
Cooldaddy3
3
Why he still manage arsenal? Totally useless tactic. Slot manage to bag 3 trophies in only one season
Vembloprty
0
Man United fight to stay at number 14 and 15....Becarefull Arsenal .
to careful for what man u sapporter just go and close your self in the dustbin
Vembloprty
2
just say you egnored to buy a striker,premier league is now boring because you gave up the tite title race, you were sarposed to put the idear to your self that youre still leaning instead of thinking that you know, see now.
beuekopuz
3
Goals from set pieces have dried up since other teams have found them out. Without a striker Arsenal are finding it difficult to score. This is the problem of Arsenal
bamadiloty
4
Also they are lacking a good coach