Arteta says errors cost Arsenal as United win cuts Premier League lead

Mikel Arteta blamed individual errors after Arsenal's 3-2 defeat against Manchester United, a result that cut their Premier League lead to four points. Arsenal were 1-0 up when Martín Zubimendi’s mis‑hit back-pass presented Bryan Mbeumo with an equaliser. United then scored with outstanding strikes from distance by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha in the second half.

"The first half an hour we’re very dominant," Arteta said, "playing the areas that we wanted, scored a goal, had two fantastic chances to score another one. And after that, we gave them the goal." Arteta said errors mounted: "The first error leads to the second one. There were three or four, which is very unusual today – but they are part of football and today we got punished.

In the end, we have to show the mental strength we have on matchdays." He resisted complaints about two possible handballs, saying the ball may have brushed Dorgu’s hand before his goal but replays were not conclusive, and that a shot which struck Harry Maguire's hand was presumably deemed not an offence because it was breaking his fall.

Arteta also said that after changes shifted Arsenal's energy they scored a second goal, but "Noni [Madueke] is one v one in the six-yard box. We don’t get anything out of that.

Key Topics

Sports, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Manchester United, Martín Zubimendi, Patrick Dorgu