Mikel Arteta was disappointed Arsenal FC’s journey in the Carabao Cup this season came to end after a disappointing defeat to Liverpool FC in the second leg of the semi-final at Emirates Stadium.
Portugal international Diogo Jota scored on either side of the interval as the Merseyside club sealed a 2-0 aggregate win over the Gunners after both sides played out a goalless draw at Anfield in the first leg last week.
Arteta’s side went down to 10 men late on when Thomas Partey was shown a red card that rules him out of Sunday's game against Burnley, however, the Gunners boss has urged his players to stop receiving unnecessary marching orders.
He said in his post-match press conference after the loss to Klopp’s side: “It's very disappointing because obviously when you have the final there, one game away, you have a level of excitement and you are really looking forward to it.
“We did everything we could to put a competitive team out. I think we had our moments in the game against a top side. In the first half certainly, when we had our chances, we hit the bar, and we have to score. In the second half at the beginning, it was the same thing. When that happens, that's the difference.
“The first time they go through our halfway line, they scored a goal, with a bit of luck. That changes the tie and the second time yes, we gave the ball in a dangerous area after just regaining the ball. And when they attack your space between the centre-back and full-back with one pass, it's extremely dangerous because they have the quality to finish the game off.”
When quizzed about Partey's red card, the Spaniard said: “It is a big loss and we have to learn from that. We have played the last three games with ten men and against top sides, you can't do that because we are completely exposed. It's difficult enough to beat them, but with ten men it becomes a real challenge and it's not what we need with the amount of players we have out, not to have him available.”
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