Chris Hughton disappointed with Arsenal draw

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Gunners an early lead but Jurgen Locadia levelled ten minutes before half-time. Albion then had the better chances after the break but were unable to find a winner.

Here are the key points from Hughton's post-match press conference.

Thoughts on the result

“Disappointed is the overriding feeling. We started poorly, at that stage if they get the second goal it becomes a really hard afternoon for us.

"There is that difference between being 1-0 down and 2-0 down. The goal came at a good time, I thought we were really good in the second half and probably if any side was going to score I felt it was going to be us.”

Half-time team talk

“We mentioned briefly about the poor start but that we’d come on to have a really good game. The second half of the first half we finished well. I think if we had a little more composure in their box we would have won the game.”

Locadia

“Really pleased. I thought he was quite good at Bournemouth, it’s been difficult for him. I think there’s a bit of scope with him because we’ve played 4-3-3 a bit more often than we have in the past. He trains well every day and if you are as committed as he is, when that chance comes about you’ve got to be ready for it so really pleased that he played well but even more pleased he got the goal.”

Poor start

“It’s very difficult because certainly you don’t give them instructions to sit back and allow Arsenal to play. There’s no big reason you start particularly well or don’t start particularly well.

“Generally, it’s because of a good period or something that’s happened, the goalkeeper makes a good save, somebody runs back and gets the crowd going. Certainly, at some stage probably after 20 minutes we notably saw that change and we needed that.”

Locadia transfer rumours

“No, it’s not going to happen (Locadia leaving), but that was never in our thoughts. He’s a player that wants to do well and he’s a really good lad.

"I would have every confidence that what he said was taken out of context. If he did speak about not being happy because he’s not playing then it’s normal. At this moment I’m pleased for him because he’s persevered and he’s given us some really good options.”

Maty Ryan and the Asian Cup

“Maty will go in the morning. We’ll miss him because he’s been very good for us but we’ve got two other very good goalkeepers and it’s an opportunity for one of them.

“They’re both very good and very valuable saves because at that stage of the game was Arsenal’s best spell.”

Halfway stage of the campaign

“For as much as we might want to make progress this is still only our second season. For me, and I say this in a good way, the most important direction is down, if we can keep the gap between us and the bottom three, that’s more important than anything.

“It’s a big point and a point that we needed because we had three defeats on the spin. The performance we can gain something from as well.”

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