Arteta on the game, Auba and Saka’s influence

Mikel Arteta admitted to feeling frustrated after witnessing his side earn a 1-1 draw in the away leg of the Europa League Round of 32 on Thursday, but insists there are reasons for optimism ahead of the return match.

We fought back to level after conceding a second half penalty, and though the game was played in Rome, this was technically our away match, so Bukayo Saka’s strike could yet prove invaluable in a week’s time.

After the match against Benfica Arteta faced the media, and gave his thoughts on the game, before discussing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance, as well as the continuing emergence of teenage winger Bukayo Saka.

Here’s a full transcript of the press conference.

On…