‘I cannot say what I think’, says Mikel Arteta in cryptic interview after defeat to Tottenham with Arsenal facing defensive crisis for rest of season

Mikel Arteta’s phrases after Arsenal’s defeat to Tottenham had the same really feel to Jose Mourinho’s ‘If I speak I’m in huge hassle’ interview with the Gunners boss making a collection of cryptic feedback.

The race for fourth was blown broad open as Spurs inflicted a 3-0 hammering on their north London rivals on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was a disastrous night for the Gunners, who fell behind by way of Harry Kane’s penalty early on after Cedric Soares was adjudged to have barged over Heung-min Son.

Meanwhile, Kane’s shut vary end simply earlier than the break and Son’s strike early within the second half sealed the factors and bragging rights for Antonio Conte’s males.

Whether the penalty ought to’ve been given has divided opinion however Arteta stored his views very intently to his chest.

“If I say what I think I’m suspended for six months,” Arteta instructed Sky Sports.

“I am allowed to give my interpretation of what happened. I don’t know how to lie and I don’t like lying so I prefer not to say what I think.”

Pressed additional on if he’s sad with any of the choices made by referee Paul Tierney, he responded: “I cannot say what I think. I will be suspended.”

“We should ask the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions… it’s a shame because such a beautiful game was destroyed today.”

The match additionally noticed Rob Holding get despatched off on 33 minutes for 2 fouls on Son. Few might disagree with Holding’s resolution there.

Asked about Holding’s crimson card, Arteta added: “The resolution is made. We can’t change it.

“The referee has to make a decision in every action in football.”

And when requested about whether or not he was sad along with his gamers, Arteta stated: “With my players, no. I’m so proud of my players.”

Things went from unhealthy to worse for Arsenal late within the second half as centre-back Gabriel going off with what regarded like a hamstring harm within the second half.

This means they’re with out the suspended Holding for his or her last two matches of the season, and could possibly be with out Gabriel and Ben White for his or her journey to Newcastle on Monday and conflict at house to Everton on the ultimate day.

Asked why White wasn’t introduced on, Arteta stated: “To take the risk in the situation didn’t make any sense. We now focus on Newcastle [on Monday], this game is history.”

And on Gabriel’s harm, he added: “He felt something so hopefully Ben will be fit and hopefully Gabi will recover because if not obviously we don’t have enough players in the back line.”