Arteta: Arsenal deserved more than draw vs Benfica, we’ll protect Saka

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta believes his team deserved better than the 1-1 draw they played in Rome against Benfica in the first leg of their round of 16 UEFA Europa League tie on Thursday night.

The Gunners fell behind to a Pizzi penalty in the 55th minute but Bukayo Saka equalised just two minutes later to give Arsenal a valuable away goal to take into the return leg.

“My feeling is that we should have got more from the game from the amount of chances that we created and the dominance that we showed in the game,” Arteta told Arsenal Player.

“We should be in a much better position than we are, we haven’t been ruthless enough in the opponent’s box and then we gave them a goal with the actions leading to the corner and then the handball. Everything is still to play for on Thursday.”

The Arsenal boss was adamant that the penalty given against his side was not the correct decision.

He said: “I’ve seen it. I think it’s harsh. He touches the ball maybe on his body before it touches his hand. 

“I’m more upset about what led to the corner in an area we should not be playing than the penalty. To be fair, the reaction from the boys was brave, we continued, we didn’t lose the focus, we went for the goal and to win the game. We scored a goal and I think we should have scored two or three more.”

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the first leg was played in Rome, Italy instead of Lisbon, Portugal. The second leg will also not be played at Arsenal’s London home, but Arteta remains confident.

“Yes, I am positive,” the Spaniard said.

“It’s really difficult to see what the ‘home’ game is going to be like. We’re going to be playing in Greece with no crowd and everything will be a bit strange but we’re going to go there to win the game.”

Arsenal’s main man in attack Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a glorious chance at 0-0 that might have led to a more positive result had he scored, but Arteta would not dwell too much on the miss.

“These things happen,” he noted during his post-match press conference. “He was on the end of the biggest chances we had tonight. 

“He was a real threat and we played against this opponent with a high line they propose all the time, and he was unlucky of course not to score two or three tonight, because in normal circumstances that would be the case.”

Saka’s goal was his 11th goal involvement this season (six goals, five assists) and the 19-year-old England forward with Nigerian heritage has become an important member of the Arsenal squad.

Arteta promised to manage the talented youngster properly to guide his development.

He said: “I think he’s in a great moment, he’s full of confidence. He’s been really important in recent results. 

“His form is probably the highest that it’s been since I’ve been here and he’s been really consistent. He needs to keep going and (we need to) be wise with him because at the moment he’s a big part of the team. 

“I think we have to protect him and keep the extractions where they should be, but I’m not going to put a brake on his development or how much he can do week in, week out. We have to support him and give him the best possible advice all the time, and then manage his minutes so he can maintain this level.”

On the difficulty of managing Saka’s playing time, Arteta explained: “It is (difficult) at the moment because he’s been a real threat. 

“He’s involved in a lot of goals all the time and his consistent performances make him a starter obviously. 

“So it’s a fine balance, but at the same time he’s 19 years old and we have to protect him.”