A typically front-footed post-match interview from Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports, but he did acknowledged his side’s poor defending of Villa’s equaliser.

“The way the boys played, the way they competed for a third time in six days, to deliver that dominance, that performance, defending, attacking, they were outstanding,” said the Spaniard.

“We deserved much more, that’s clear. But, at this level, the way we defended the second goal cannot be part of our game. Overall, the word is pride because they were exceptional.”