Xhaka believes Sporting CP draw was fair result | Interview | News

Mikel Arteta believes we’ll learn a lesson from our 2-2 draw against Sporting CP ahead of the second leg in a week’s time.

Willam Saliba gave us the lead but we fell behind thanks to goals on either side of the break from Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho.

However, Hidemasa Morita’s own goal equalized and, after scoring a draw after a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Mikel believes we’ll be better on our own pitch next week.

After the game he said: “We had phases in the game where we had a lot of control but in the last third we lacked a bit of power because of course today we had to adapt with the players we didn’t have available.

“I think we conceded two very bad goals that we need to do better and show a lot more determination in those moments to defend our box.

“At this level away, the draw puts it in a really difficult position but we managed to react. We had periods in the second half where we were much better.”

Backed by a vociferous home crowd, Sporting came on after eight games unbeaten and having featured in the Champions League this season their quality was evident throughout.

Mikel feels that having faced them today we are even better prepared for what is to come when they travel to north London next Thursday where a place in the quarter-finals is very much up for grabs for both sides.

“It’s a really tough opponent,” he continued. “Giving them hope like we did, especially with a lot of giveaways in our own half, that was too risky and not worth playing the balls we played, especially against a team that wants that to push like they did. We learned some things that we can do better at Emirates Stadium.

“We have to earn the right to play, of course the atmosphere will be very good for us, it will be very helpful. So we’re going to watch the game and review it and we need better performance next week.”

The coach gave a debut to Jakub Kiwior, who became the first Polish outfield player in our history, and despite dealing with a confident opponent who hadn’t been beaten in the last eight games, Mikel felt that the youngster defender did well.

“I think he was good, it’s his first time playing so it was a different partnership,” he added.

“With six team changes, this cohesion isn’t really there, and you can feel that especially in the first minutes of half-time. After that, I think the team got better and better. Overall I think he played a good game.”