Mikel Arteta described the last-gasp setback at Aston Villa as “painful” and “exhausting to take” however conceded Arsenal didn’t attain their current 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 purpose not sufficient for Arsenal
Matty Money put the house aspect in entrance however Leandro Trossard got here off the bench at half-time to internet an equaliser earlier than having to go off once more after seemingly struggling a recurrence of a muscular harm.
“Within the method it occurred on the finish it’s actually tough to take,” Arteta instructed TNT Sports activities.
“You’re at all times on the sting, particularly once you don’t handle the ball effectively once you regain it, and we didn’t try this very effectively within the first half. Within the second half we began rather well. Scored a purpose and we had been actually dominant. However then we had intervals once more the place the identical challenge 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 might have price us the sport earlier than truly the purpose. Final kick of the sport we’ve the prospect with the cross from Declan [Rice] for Noni [Madueke] and Viktor [Gyokeres]. We don’t rating. Purpose kick lengthy, second ball, clear the ball, particular person motion. The ball comes contained in the field and you find yourself shedding 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 aspect. We had our moments to go on and rating the second purpose. We had been very, very shut a number of occasions and on the finish after 18 video games unbeaten, which is a long term, you must raise up and go once more.”
For Arsenal, it was a primary league defeat since happening 1-0 at Liverpool in August.
“Sure requirements immediately, notably individually we didn’t attain that stage,” mentioned the previous Arsenal midfielder. “The trouble was completely there. Use that ache to go once more. That’s soccer.”
