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Mikel Arteta disappointed with Arsenal defending

Arteta disappointed with Arsenal defending
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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta describes his side's defending of set pieces during their past two Premier League matches as "not good enough".

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has said that his side's defending of set pieces during their past two Premier League matches has not been good enough.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend, after Joleon Lescott had put the English champions ahead by heading home David Silva's first-half corner.

Arsene Wenger's men were then beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea yesterday, with both goals coming from Juan Mata free kicks.

"We have conceded three goals from three set pieces in the last two games that cost us points and it is not good enough," said Arteta.

"I don't think it is something to do with the defence, it is to do with an individual set-up in the game, which is a free kick or a corner or whatever, and we haven't defended the ball well enough and we conceded three goals in those two games.

"You cannot blame one player, you have to clear the lines so quickly and you cannot allow runners like that in the box, and it was the same sort of ball for both goals.

"It hurts when you lose points at home against teams like that and you feel you haven't deserved to lose. It is frustrating, but I think it was our own fault because we didn't defend those set pieces."

Arsenal are currently seventh in the Premier League table, having taken nine points from their opening six matches.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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