David Moyes believes that Arsenal are pretty much the only team in the Premier League who could control a game for 90 minutes.
The Scottish manager was speaking after Everton’s 2-1 win over Fulham and was asked about his team’s struggles in the first half of recent matches.
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The Premier League managerial stalwart highlighted the quality of teams in the division and suggested not many teams, bar Arsenal, will have everything their own way in matches.
Mikel Arteta’s team has taken a lot of flak over recent months for their style of play, but other Premier League bosses have highlighted just how effective they have become.
David Moyes hails Arsenal’s ability to control matches
David Moyes has been impressed by Arsenal’s ability to control matches throughout 90 minutes and suggests they are the only Premier League team able to do so.
The Gunners beat Everton earlier this season, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.
Arteta’s team dominated that day with 67 per cent possession, 13 shots to two and completed almost double the amount of the Toffees’ total passes with 653.
Moyes has now hailed the Gunners, telling the media: “The teams are so level in the Premier League that it’s very rare that you’re going to dominate games in the Premier League for 90 minutes.
“Even the top teams probably don’t because, maybe the odd team, maybe an Arsenal might do, but I don’t think there’ll be many teams.
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“I think you have to accept that you might not play so well because the other team plays better than you, but you can pick it up, you can play better.”
Arsenal have been so efficient over recent weeks, and despite criticisms over the style, there is a reason why their lead at the top of the Premier League is unassailable right now.
Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal’s performance against Sunderland
Arteta was full of praise for Arsenal’s performance following the win over Sunderland and was delighted that the team managed to keep a clean sheet.
“I’m very, very happy with the win, with big parts of the performance, with the clean sheet as well, because it’s a really tough opponent,” Arteta told the media.
“They’re really good at what they do, really good at breaking play, playing to the last man, breaking your press, holding the ball and very difficult to get sequences with threat and momentum consecutively.
“But we knew that, I think the first goal really helped to unlock that kind of phase. Then again, the finishers, they came on the pitch, and immediately they had a huge impact.”
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