Arteta, Leno take a swipe at Burnley’s tactics after Turf Moor draw


Mikel Arteta and Bernd Leno bemoaned Burnley’s “long ball” tactics after Arsenal gift-wrapped the hosts a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

Granit Xhaka’s hurried pass cannoned off Chris Wood and into the goal to hand Burnley a point in a game in which Arsenal had dominated.

Arteta said: “It’s a really tough place to come on a difficult pitch, but I have to say we should have scored the big chances we had.

“When you miss the chances we had, and you do not get decisions, it is complicated to win football games. If that is not a penalty, then someone needs to explain what one is.

“From what we produced, you have to come here and win. When you do not, you have to look at yourself. We completely dominated the first half but they make it difficult with a lot of long ball.

“We generated chances and we should have won by two or three goals. if you give any hope to any team in the Premier League, they are going to take it.”

Arteta felt Arsenal should have had a penalty for the first Eric Pieters handball – but refused to criticise his side for playing out from the back, despite it leading to the equaliser.

“It (playing out) is something that we work on and will keep doing. The first goal we score is through Bernd and then we made a mistake that cost us a goal.

“It can happen when you play short or long, this is football but when you miss the chances we had today they are going to put you under pressure.”

Arsenal goalkeeper Leno also had a pop at Burnley’s football after they were fortunate to come away with a point.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “We had many big chances. I think we should have got a penalty and at the end it is only one point and I think we deserved more.

“In the first half we played our game and we dominated. It should have been two or three nil and it was 1-1.

“In the second half we played too much of Burnley’s football and it doesn’t suit us or anybody in the Premier League.”

On the Burnley equaliser, he said: “We wanted to build out again because it had been working and it was very unlucky from Granit [Xhaka] but it happens.

“There is always risk to play out from the back but this is our style. I think we have more than enough situations where it works to our advantage.”

Dyche content

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: “Overall, another good point against a good Arsenal side. We attempted to affect the game by pressing all match. We relied on the same group [as in previous games] and they were outstanding, the way they went after Arsenal for the whole 90 minutes.

“I’m a fan of VAR, we know it has to be streamlined but that is where it’s worth it’s weight in gold. The referee couldn’t wait to get his red card out today, although he is a very fine referee.

“That is what VAR is for. There wasn’t a lot in it in the first half, but our defending was exceptional and we probably made the chance of the game, but their keeper made a good save.

“These sides contain some very good technical players who shift the ball quickly, so it’s not easy, but the mentality was good today. It has been a tough spell for us but we hope have the chance to get players fit now.

“I must commend the players again because the amount they have put in to ensure we get a result was very important.”


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Busy 20 minutes for Pieters

Erik Pieters joked about his impact off the bench but was delighted with the togetherness shown by Burnley in a game he felt they could have gone on to win.

He told BT Sport: “It was a good 20 minutes from me wasn’t it!

“I got a yellow, got a red and got a shot on goal. With a bit more luck and clinical finishing we could have taken the three points.

“It was a great effort from the team. You have to give the team some credit because we worked really hard to get the equaliser, it was a bit lucky but they all count.

“We did really well, we attack all together and defend all together and that is why we got a point here – every point counts but of course you would prefer to win.”

 





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