Mikel Arteta was pleased with the test Hibs provided his Arsenal team despite slipping to a 2-1 friendly defeat.
Goals from Martin Boyle and and Daniel Mackay gave Jack Ross ’ side an eye-catching pre-season win at Easter Road.
Kevin Dabrowksi saved a Nicolas Pepe penalty before Emile Smith Rowe pulled one back for the Gunners, but they couldn’t find an equaliser in Leith.
Arteta was quick to stress that it;s still early days and was convinced that Mackay’s winner should have been flagged for offside.
He said: “With just four days of training sessions, you could see that some of the players were a little bit leggy.
“We had an accident with the first goal but after that I thought we started to control the game better. We were much better in the second half and created many chances. We missed a penalty and hit the post and bar twice.
“Then we conceded from a set piece which was clearly three metres offside.
“But it was about the work out and getting some ideas together. We had some big debut from young players which is always nice to see. We have things to improve but we are in pre-season.”
Boyle’s opener on 21 minutes was thanks to an absolute howler by debutant Arsenal ‘keeper Arthur Okonkwo, who’s fresh-air swipe at a bouncing ball allowed the ussie international a simple finish.
Asked if the young stopper was okay after the game, Arteta told Sky Sports: “He should be. Mistakes are part of the game and a goalkeeper has to be able to handle these situations.
“It’s a shame because it was his debut and Arthur has been doing fantastically well so we have to lift him up and protect him.”
