Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s attitude was “better than I expected” after the Gunners rescued a point at Bournemouth in the Spaniard’s first match in charge.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 12th Premier League goal of the season cancelled out Dan Gosling’s first-half strike against the run of play.
The Gunners reach the halfway stage of the season in the bottom half of the table after winning just one of their last 11 league games, yet Arteta believes there were enough positives against Bournemouth to be optimistic about the second half of the campaign.
“I am pleased with a lot of things I have seen and a lot of things we practised that happened,” said the former Arsenal captain, who was appointed as head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal last week.
“I am not happy we have not won the game but happy overall. In terms of attitude, desire and commitment it was better than I expected.”
Midfielder Gosling gave the hosts the lead from close range after Jack Stacey’s cut back before Arsenal’s captain came to the rescue.
Aubameyang struck with a first-time shot after Reiss Nelson’s attempt from the edge of the penalty area deflected into the Gabon forward’s path.
