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Arteta and Raya blame same thing for Arsenal's struggles vs Slavia Prague

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David Raya bemoaned Arsenal's wastefulness in the final third after the Gunners were lucky to escape Czechia with victory following a sloppy second-half showing - with Mikel Arteta echoing his goalkeeper's frustration.

Raya made a stunning stop to keep out Oskar Kubiak's header during Slavia's ambush but the heroic goalkeeper felt the Gunners could have killed the game up the other end.

He said after Arsenal hung on: "First half we played really, really well. We created a lot of chances and could have scored more but the second half was completely different.

"They stepped up a gear and made it difficult for us and we have to learn from it. Delighted with the win but a lot of things to improve going forward.

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"Maybe they started pressing a bit higher with more intensity. We had too many giveaways especially in the final third. There was too much running from box to box and we have to manage those reactions and go for the third and fourth goal.

"At the end of the day it is three points. I'm doing my best and trying to keep clean sheets. We know clean sheets help you win games. Hopefully we get more clean sheets next time."

Arteta too voiced his anger with what he saw in the second 45 minutes after failing to take advantage from their dominant early period.

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The Spaniard's frustration was visible as he cut an animated figure on the touchline as Arsenal gradually lost their grip on the contest. Slavia Prague's late strike gave them hope, forcing the Gunners to weather a late storm.

"Always we need to value winning away in the Champions League. It is extremely difficult," he said. "Two very different halves. We should have had three or four goals in the first half but we didn't do it.

"Right at the start of the second half we were on the back foot, very sloppy and gave balls away. Then we had to suffer. A lot to learn. We should have scored more in the first half and if we didn't do that we had to go and do that in the second half.

"We made six changes but we know the quality of the players we have. Whether we were lacking something I don't know but I would have done the same thing [again]. "I value what the team has done now, it is 11 away games we played."

Oskar KubiakfootballUEFA Champions LeagueArsenalSlavia PragueDavid RayaMikel Arteta