"They were exceptional": Mikel Arteta praises two Arsenal stars after 23 defensive contributions vs Aston Villa

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on two players following the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on the road.

The Gunners faced a big challenge against Unai Emery’s side on Saturday. Villa took the lead through Matty Cash in the 36th minute, but Arsenal equalised shortly after the break.

Leandro Trossard came off the bench to score another vital goal. Arsenal were on course for a hard-fought point before Emiliano Buendia netted with the last kick of the game.

Speaking after the 2-1 loss, Arteta was asked about the limited options in the heart of the defence with the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera injured.

In response, the Spanish tactician said that the team has to adapt to the situation without making excuses and highlighted that Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber were ‘exceptional’ as a central defensive pairing.

He told Arsenal.com: “It is what it is, and we have to cope with that for a period of time as well, we know that. And the team has to be able to adapt to that, not look for excuses.

“Obviously, we know what those two [Gabriel and William Saliba] bring, especially in a game like this. But the other two [Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber], I think they were exceptional as well today.”

Hincapie and Timber started together in central defence for the first time in a Premier League game.

They had a relatively good outing as a pair despite the demoralising late defeat at Villa Park.

The duo made 23 combined defensive contributions against the Villans, but Hincapie could have avoided conceding a late throw-in that paved the way for the hosts’ dramatic last-gasp winner.

Arsenal will be in Champions League action against Club Brugge on the road on Wednesday night. This will be followed by a late Saturday kick-off against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league at home.

Arteta has repeatedly said that Saliba could return in a ‘matter of days’. Hopefully, the Frenchman will be available to return soon, thus allowing Timber to return to his preferred right-back position.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Fotmob.com

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