Mikel Arteta’s reaction to the Gunners’ arduous victory and second place finish – ‘We want to be first’

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were never really worried in their 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium at the hands of Ipswich Town on Friday, but how will the Gunners’ mastermind view his side’s failure to score a second goal given a first game without injured star Bukayo Saka achieve? .

They won’t be repeating those 90 rainy minutes in any series of ‘classic games’ any time soon, as Arsenal flew out of the traps but engaged in a possession-intensive duel that didn’t amount to much in the final hour or so.

( MORE: Summary, highlights of Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich )

That left Ipswich within sight of an equalizer if they managed a fun bounce or a moment of inspiration in north London.

Arsenal finished the game with 69% possession and 1.94 xG and conceded just 0.02 xGA from a shot attempt, but good margins include a header from Gabriel Magalhaes from a corner and five blocked shots from the Tractor Boys.

Arteta also confirmed that Saka has undergone surgery for a torn hamstring and that this will be the case missing for “more than two months.”

Reaction from Mikel Arteta – Arsenal boss to the Gunners’ arduous but straightforward win over Ipswich Town

Closer than it should have been: “It was what it was. We were super dominant, especially in the first half. We created some good chances. If anything, we should have had more than one. We didn’t start the second half particularly well and gave the ball away after kick-off.

“Thanks to them. They were really well organized, really well trained. You have to score the second goal in this league. In the last few minutes they start to flow forward, play more direct and above all the feeling that anything can happen in the end – we hate it.”

On the first game without Bukayo Saka: “Very good. It will be different. We had moments in the first half and even better moments in the second half. The moments are new and it will take some time for us to understand each other. I think (Martinelli) is doing well made.”

For second place: “Considering the circumstances we’ve had this season, the frequency with which we’ve had to play with ten men, the injuries, the congestion of fixtures… It’s good, but we don’t want to be there – we want to be first.”