PAIN IN THE GRASS
MIKEL ARTETA blamed Burnley’s long grass for Arsenal’s fourth straight draw.
The Spaniard has won just one of his seven league games since taking over and the Arsenal boss claimed it was the Turf Moor pitch which stifled his side’s passing game.
He admitted he knew what was coming though and the Gunners didn’t water their own training pitch to prepare for it. “The conditions were difficult,” said Arteta. “The grass was long. They didn’t put any water on it and that is not a very helpful thing to play football.
“I didn’t water the pitch yesterday at the training ground. I was expecting it, but that doesn’t make it
easier to play the game. It’s their game. They do really well what they do. It’s their strength, you’re allowed to do it, so we have to adapt.
“We adapted really well in some moments and in some others it wasn’t the grass, it’s the quality and what they do, they do really well. We could not cope with that in the right way.”
Arsenal could have lost as Burnley missed several chances and Arteta wants greater consistency from his side.
“I hope it doesn’t take time,” said the Spaniard.
“But we need more consistency with the ball.
“We were fantastic in some moments but we were so sloppy and put ourselves in big trouble with a lot of unnecessary situations.
“We have to improve a lot.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche hit back at Arsenal, claiming some of their players went down far too easily.
“It’s lovely to watch when people are falling over, it’s my favourite part,” he said sarcastically.
“The game is in a fantastic state. No one wants to address it apart from me, so I am absolutely happy with the state of the game.”