Mikel Arteta described the last-gasp setback at Aston Villa as “painful” and “exhausting to take” however conceded Arsenal didn’t attain their latest requirements after struggling their second league defeat of the season.
Emi Buendia scored with the final kick of the sport to hand Villa a 2-1 win and spark wild scenes of celebration around Villa Park.
Defeat means Manchester Metropolis can near inside two factors of the Gunners if they beat Sunderland this afternoon.
Trossard aim not sufficient for Arsenal
Matty Money put the house facet in entrance however Leandro Trossard got here off the bench at half-time to web an equaliser earlier than having to go off once more after seemingly struggling a recurrence of a muscular damage.
“Within the method it occurred on the finish it’s actually troublesome to take,” Arteta informed TNT Sports activities.
“You might be all the time on the sting, particularly while you don’t handle the ball properly while you regain it, and we didn’t try this very properly within the first half. Within the second half we began very well. Scored a aim and we had been actually dominant. However then we had intervals once more the place the identical subject appeared after which we didn’t have the dominance and we allowed the open areas.
“We gave two balls away ourselves to the opponent which may have value us the sport earlier than really the aim. Final kick of the sport we now have the possibility with the cross from Declan [Rice] for Noni [Madueke] and Viktor [Gyokeres]. We don’t rating. Objective kick lengthy, second ball, clear the ball, particular person motion. The ball comes contained in the field and you find yourself dropping it. It’s painful.”
Villa go second
Villa moved up to second, for a few hours at least, after securing their seventh successive win in all competitions.
Arteta added: “Credit score to them for what they do. They’re a very good facet. We had our moments to go on and rating the second aim. We had been very, very shut a couple of instances and on the finish after 18 video games unbeaten, which is a long term, you’ll want to elevate up and go once more.”
For Arsenal, it was a primary league defeat since taking place 1-0 at Liverpool in August.
“Sure requirements at present, notably individually we didn’t attain that stage,” mentioned the previous Arsenal midfielder. “The hassle was completely there. Use that ache to go once more. That’s soccer.”
