Unai Emery reflects on first Arsenal loss after 22 matches | OneFootball

Arsenal played 22 matches across all competitions since 25 August and did not lose a single one. That form ended on Sunday when the Gunners lost to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium but manager Unai Emery is not panicking.

Despite not suffering a loss in nearly four months, Emery did not appear worried when speaking with reporters after the 3-2 Premier League defeat.

“We could lose and we lost,” Arsenal’s first-year boss was rather philosophical to begin his remarks.

“In the second half we were better with control in the game and creating more chances than them, controlling the transitions. But with a very small action they scored the goal.”

Emery credited the opposition for earning their victory. “Also they deserve it. They played with very big motivation, with the supporters pushing. Our game today was very similar to how we have played before, but the result is different.”

After Héctor Bellerín left the match injured, Emery acknowledged a shortage of healthy defenders but argued that Southampton showed clinical finishing on Sunday.

“It’s true we need to improve and concede less chances to the opposition. Only when we analyse this match can we take a more real opinion about the goals we conceded.”

The manager is considering additions from the transfer market to provide cover in defence but is hesitant to bring players in mid-season.

While the back-line needs help, Arsenal’s attack is doing just fine. “We are scoring a lot, we are second in the table for goals scored, but we have also conceded a lot – at least more than we want for our objective.”

Looking ahead, Emery wants to move past their defeat quickly and focus on meeting their goals. “Our demands are very big and the level is very high with other teams. If we don’t win, like today, we cannot be in the top four. But other teams are winning. We need to do our way and build up the team in one process.”

Despite an impressive run without defeat, the Gunners are not close enough to their targets to be satisfied.

“The objective is the top four, but we know it’s not easy as the other teams are at a high level. We need to be very demanding of ourselves, as we are. After 22 matches unbeaten, we didn’t lose but were only in fifth position in the table, because other teams are doing very well.”