Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his team is not suffering from lack of confidence following their 3-3 draw against Southampton that ensured they lost more ground on the title race.
The Gunners conceded as early as the first minute before letting in another that was scored by former Arsenal player Theo Walcott in the 14th minute, but through Gabriel Martinelli, halved the deficit.
Duje Caleta-Car made it 3-1 in the 66th minute, but Arsenal charged a comeback through Martin Odegaard who scored in the 88th minute and Bukayo Saka who netted the equalizer in the 90th minute.
It was Arsenal’s third successive draw in the league, but Arteta dismissed claims Arsenal are suffering from lack of confidence.
“I don’t see a lack of confidence. When a team lack confidence normally players start to hide in certain moments. I didn’t see a single players doing that, they took risks and took the initiative,” Arteta told SkySports after the game.
“That is why we created the chances we created, that is why we got back to 3-3 and should have won the game. The confidence is there.”
Arsenal now lead the table with five points more, but Manchester City placed second has two games in hands on the Gunners. And, the two face-off on Wednesday in what will be a season-defining game for Arteta’s side. The Spaniard refused to consider Wednesday game a final.
“It’s not a final because there are still six games to go and still enough points to be played.
“Obviously, the concern is just turning around this moment, some players if they are in doubt. Get those doubts away and prepare for the game in Manchester to win the game.”
