Arteta criticises ‘very sloppy’ Arsenal second half despite Slavia Prague win

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticised his side’s loss of control after they survived a difficult second half to beat Slavia Prague 2-1 in the Champions League.

Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal two goals ahead before the interval, but the visitors needed important defensive interventions from Gabriel and David Raya to protect their advantage.

Wiktor Nowak’s late goal made the finish uncomfortable. Arsenal nevertheless secured their third victory in four league-phase matches and moved into third place.

Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal’s second-half problems

Arteta believed Arsenal’s first-half performance should have produced a more commanding lead. After the break, his concerns centred on their passing, clearances and positioning.

“We were on the back foot, very sloppy,” he told TNT Sports, in comments reported by The Independent.

“We didn’t keep the ball or the structure at all.”

Arteta had warned his players at half-time that Slavia would continue pressing and competing regardless of the score. Arsenal struggled to respond when the hosts increased the pressure.

The contrast was substantial: having created chances to extend their lead before half-time, Arsenal spent much of the second period trying to withstand Slavia’s attacks.

Our Slavia Prague vs Arsenal match report covers the goals and the late pressure.

David Raya identifies Arsenal’s costly giveaways

Raya’s assessment reflected his manager’s concerns. The goalkeeper said Arsenal lost possession too frequently in attacking areas, allowing Slavia to come back towards their goal.

He also highlighted the hosts’ increased intensity after the interval and the difficulties created by their man-to-man approach.

Gabriel cleared two headers off the line, while Raya pushed Oskar Kubiak’s header onto the post. Those interventions kept Arsenal’s two-goal advantage intact until Nowak converted David Jurasek’s cross in the 90th minute.

Arsenal held on through stoppage time, but their goalkeeper’s workload showed how far the match had shifted from its first-half pattern.

Read our Arsenal player ratings against Slavia Prague for the individual assessments.

Ezri Konsa fitness concern before Hull City

Arsenal also left Prague with a fitness question over Ezri Konsa, who was replaced during the second half.

Arteta said the defender had experienced physical issues after a demanding run of matches, according to The Standard. His availability for Saturday’s meeting with Hull City has not been confirmed.

William Saliba returned to the matchday squad in Prague, providing a timely defensive option. Bukayo Saka remains sidelined, while Max Dowman is suspended domestically.

Dowman’s ban covers the Hull match and the subsequent trip to Newcastle. It did not prevent him from featuring in the Champions League.

Arsenal vs Hull City: Control becomes the next test

Arsenal host Hull at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 7 November, following victories over Liverpool and Slavia.

The results give Arteta a strong platform, but his criticism identifies an issue to address: managing possession and maintaining their shape when opponents raise the intensity.

Against Slavia, a dominant start was enough to secure the points. Against Hull, Arsenal will aim to sustain that authority across the full match rather than rely on late defensive interventions.

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