Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice believes the one-on-one marking has made his team’s job tough.
Arsenal held Atalanta to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League tie on Thursday, leaving the English side with a point.
“To win away from home in the Champions League is very difficult. This team (Atalanta) were European champions last year and they have had the same manager for nine years. They play man-to-man all over the pitch throughout the game and it is not easy.
“The important thing tonight was that we defended well. Our high pressing looked good, but the rhythm with the ball could have been 10-15 times better.
“We gave away easy balls many times when we should have been playing against them. We wasted time on the ball when we should have just played one or two quick moves.
“They (Atalanta) followed us all over the pitch and were Promotion Ufabet difficult to adapt to or beat, that’s why we tried to threaten from the back. The centre-halves followed us deep so we tried to pull them away. Martinelli had big chances, we should have played better with the ball.” Rice said.
Arteta will know, however, that they will have to raise their game considerably if they are to trouble the champions at the Etihad.
“We lost control of the game because we were very inconsistent with the ball,” added Arteta.
“Defensively we didn’t suffer, that’s the reality. We had a late chance with Martinelli to win the game but unfortunately it didn’t go in. We have to improve.”