Mikel Arteta has revealed his decision to substitute defender Nuno Tavares, during the first half of Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest, was a strategic choice to try and improve the team.
The Gunners were poor throughout the match against Forest, but Tavares had a particularly difficult game when he was taken off after just 34 minutes for Kieran Tierney.
"I just did it to try to improve the performance of the team," Arteta told ITV after the game.
"I have to make the decision to try to improve the performance of the team when it's not going in any other direction."
Simply not good enough
Sunday's defeat marked just the second time Arsenal have been knocked out of the third round of the FA Cup in 25 years, both times against Forest at the City ground.
Arteta says Arsenal were not good enough and should apologise for their performance.
"I don't want to use excuses," Arteta added. "I expect the team I put out to do better and when you don't in the cup you are out.
"Today [Sunday] showed we were not capable of winning against Forest away from home and didn't put in the level to win the game."
zombdelmps
0
so Arteta z only interested not to sign any player
seycimnouy
1
ok
kutcemry
0
how can you say is not Arteta fault.then why do you sack coachers you have said nothing.
kutcemry
0
Arteta will progress and retrogress.we are all watching le'ts not behave childish and think all is well.
Beatsbybox
0
If Ainsley knew that he surely wouldn't have pushed for the loan move.
He did know that but Arteta refuses to play him for whateva reason so he had to leave to find playing time somewhere else
Viwbceikn
1
there were no players to place in the midfield, what a poor performance by lokonga, nketia and patino
patino just started so we should understand bout it...
SawHotz
0
We don’t have a lot of depth and we went ahead and sent Maitland-Niles on loan. How does that make sense???
If Ainsley knew that he surely wouldn't have pushed for the loan move.
Beatsbybox
2
We don’t have a lot of depth and we went ahead and sent Maitland-Niles on loan. How does that make sense???
Sunji1
4
But u didn’t improve the team. U having problems with blacks like ur boss Pep
Mukabcdknr
0
Arsenal refused to play.
AB1604
1
Come on guys, it's just was a bad match for us. Infact I believe this will do immense good for us as now we can concentrate more on the EPL. We shouldn't aim for a trophy rather we should aim for 3rd place finish, which will guarantee Champions League. Build on this team and add more quality in summer transfer. Success is byproduct of the efforts, pain and discipline put into, it is not some fast food which will be available on moment's notice.
lord_henry-14
2
He deserves to be sub after 34 min.He was totally useless
EdgarRuta
0
there were no players to place in the midfield, what a poor performance by lokonga, nketia and patino
EdgarRuta
3
it isn't Arteta's fault. Its the players who played they were not serious at all
Kekules
1
KT came on and was doing more rubbish than Tavares
fourthorty430
2
but it's unfortunate that it didn't improve the team but collapsed the team... That's life for you sometimes...
voselmnosu
0
it was a disgrace for the players to perform like they did yesterday Arsenal should learn to be serious
Sosst
0
If he keeps up with his attitude after being benched bc he wasnt good enough then sell him,Not one player is bigger then the club & not one player should be able to show such a horrible display & be upset bc they were benched.He got what he deserved & arteta was right
foucdelosz
0
You are not playing campions league, Europe league or comference league still you will go trophy less this season
ledceiprsy
1
For how long will you apologies Mr?? Just please remember Apologies ain't trophies mr MikelAselArteta