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MIKEL ARTETA slammed the performance of his team after coming back from behind to draw with Liverpool.The Gunners conceded two goals in two minutes and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.Mikel Arteta was critical of his side despite coming from bending to draw 2-2Credit: EPAThe Gunners boss was left ‘upset’ by the performance in the first 25 minutesCredit: APThey fought back with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, who was later sent off after picking up two yellow cards.And although Arteta was pleased with the reaction of his players, he fumed that they gave themselves a mountain to climb.The Gunners boss admitted there were “a lot of parts” of his team’s display which upset him.He said: “A lot of parts, especially defending the standards that we have and the errors after we gave the ball away.READ MORE IN ARSENAL”Very far off it. Really upset, yeah we had a reaction. I hate reaction I like action.”I was really really upset.”What I saw in the first 25 minutes, 35 minutes. Some of the actions…I was killing myself.”Arteta was asked about the psychological impact Arsenal’s mid-week Champions League exit at PSG may have had on his players.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut he sent a message to his squad – telling them they had to prove they are the best of the rest after missing out on the league title to Liverpool.Arteta also refused to put his team’s performance down to fatigue or injuries, which have had a big impact this season.Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claimBut even ahead of the match he admitted his squad was short of the quality necessary to win the Prem.He said: “There are a lot of factors. We knew from the beginning of the season that our squad was super short.”Being super short we had some players that had a high probability of getting injured, because that’s what they had in the last few seasons.”So we knew that and we cannot do anything about it.”But we will do everything that we can to improve the team and especially improve the players that we already have.”Whatever the market offers to give us a better chance to win for sure we will try to do it.” More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis has released a statement after he stormed onto the pitch and appeared to confront boss Nuno Espirito Santo.The shocking incident occurred as Forest’s Champions League hopes suffered a blow with a 2-2 draw to already relegated Leicester.Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch at the end of the gameCredit: AFPHe confronted Nuno and angrily gestured at himCredit: AFPMarinakis claimed his reaction was ‘natural’Credit: PAA raging Marinakis charged onto the pitch at full-time and was seemingly heading past Nuno.But he then stopped and made angry gestures at the manager as the pair exchange words.Marinakis lost his temper over Taiwo Awoniyi being forced to play on while injured.The striker was hurt after clattering into the post while attempting to slide in and score.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMedics checked on Awoniyi and he was initially given the thumbs up to play on before changing their minds.In that time, Nuno had used his final substitute to take off Elliot Anderson.Marinakis addressed the issue in a statement, which read: “Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again – a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion.”With two more games to go in the Premier League, we must keep believing and keep dreaming, right to the final kick in the final game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we must all celebrate the historic achievements of this season.”Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.“This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming.”After the game, Nuno said: “It was a tough moment, after the situation with [Taiwo Awoniyi] we had one man less after a misunderstanding.“It’s difficult to control emotions when we had so much expectation on a day like this.”Asked if the Awoniyi situation sparked the Greek chief’s reaction, Nuno confirmed: “Yes, it was because of that. It was a misunderstanding, a miscommunication. I’m sorry, I cannot go much further.“It’s based on emotions, you cannot make a big deal out of it. It happens and it will happen again. With the emotions today, it’s understandable.”Nuno later said in his press conference: “It was a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical department and we were both frustrated.”It is because of the owner’s passion that we are growing as a club. he pushes us. He wants us to do better.Read More on The Sun”If it was the other way round maybe one ago he would say, ‘OK we have the job done that’s normal’.”His desire and passion is to be a big club. Honestly, as a club we owe a lot to the Marinakis family.”Taiwo Awoniyi sustained an injury but was not subbed off due to a ‘miscommunication’Credit: AFP More