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Mbemba: "We Gave Everything"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Chancel Mbemba told nufc.co.uk that United can be proud of their efforts against Arsenal on Saturday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Chancel Mbemba was disappointed to end up on the losing side against Arsenal on Saturday, but insists Newcastle United can be proud of their efforts.
The Magpies went down 1-0 at St. James' Park, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's deflected shot proving the difference, but United were forced to play for 74 minutes with ten men following an early red card to Aleksandar Mitrovic.
However, Newcastle didn't capitulate and showed the same spirit and determination that has been evident ever since new head coach Steve McClaren took charge during the summer.
"We definitely deserved more," centre-back Mbemba told nufc.co.uk following the final whistle.
"Given the situation, I think we managed the first half really well and put in a lot of hard work before half-time.
"Unfortunately, in the second half they got the goal and we had to really push hard to try and get anything from the game.
"It didn't work for us but I would like to say thank you to the fans because they really pushed us along and helped us.
"Arsenal are a massive team who keep the ball very well and pass it well. We gave everything we could on the pitch - we left everything out there.
"Everyone gave 100 per cent. It was a massive effort, and we also showed the desire and will to go out there and compete with Arsenal - even with ten men.
"For me, it is really important that we honour the Newcastle shirt every time we pull it on, and today I think we did that."
The main talking point of the afternoon was the dismissal of Mitrovic, who was given his marching orders by referee Andre Marriner having caught Francis Coquelin with a mistimed challenge.
But Mbemba is refusing to dwell on that incident and instead wants to focus on bouncing back in United's next fixture - at West Ham, on Monday, 14th September.
"Football is like that sometimes," continued the DR Congo international.
"The referee has given a red card, and I would need to see it again before I say what I think of it.
"But what I can say is that in big games like this you cannot afford to get red cards, so we need to go away, work hard and make things right for the next game."