Mikel Arteta has revealed what he said to his players at half time during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Everton.
The Gunners were very poor in the opening 45 minutes at Goodison Park and deservedly fell behind courtesy of Rob Holding 's own goal. They briefly restored parity through a Nicolas Pepe penalty, only for Yerry Mina to head in just before the break.
The performance did improve in the second half but on the day it was not enough for the Arsenal to avoid an eight defeat in just 14 Premier League matches.
Speaking in his pre-match programme notes ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter final against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta has revealed what was said during the interval.
"It's true in the first half in the first phase we were too slow," he wrote.
"Whether that was because the players were a little bit restricted because they don't want to make a mistake, or maybe just because we felt that it was comfortable to do it.
"But in the second half it was much better. We talked about it at half time - that the speed has to be much quicker, with better movement and intention to attack the spaces.
"We managed to do that more efficiently but it wasn't enough to score more goals."
The result means that Arsenal now sit 15th in the Premier League having scored just 12 goals all season. Slow build up play and lack of off the ball movement has been a consistent issue in their build up play this season, and has contributed heavily to their poor record in front of goal.
Arteta will be hoping his side can play better from the off against Manchester City on Tuesday night, with the added carrot of a Carabao Cup semi-final place up for grabs.
Arsenal have done well in cup competitions under the Spaniard, winning 16 out of 17 matches. The 38-year-old will be hoping to continue that good form against his former mentor Pep Guardiola.
