Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta has criticized his charges for an “unacceptable” 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Nicolas Pepe gave Arsenal the lead with a brilliant strike in the second half but late goals from Lewis Dunk and Neal Maupay condemned the Gunners to a second successive defeat after the COVID-19 enforced break.
Arteta was understandably less than pleased with the result which he branded unacceptable.
“I am very frustrated,” he told BBC Sport. “It is unacceptable the way we lost the game.
“We like competing and I know we have a young squad but still, we threw the game away. We had to put it to bed earlier.”
Arteta then discussed the injury suffered by his goalkeeper, Bernd Leno following a clash with Brighton’s match winner, Maupay.
Leno appeared very unhappy with Maupay as he was taken off in the first half and there was a scuffle on the pitch after the final whistle in which the Brighton striker was involved.
“I think it was very unfortunate,” he said. “I don’t think he wanted to hurt him. It is not looking good. We have to fight and be positive; tomorrow is a different day.
“I think the players that came on today did really well, we did more than enough to win the game comfortably, but we leave with zero points again.
“I think this was a very different one to the one against Manchester City. When you give cheap goals like we did in this one you will suffer.”
Emiliano Martinez, who replaced Leno in goal, also criticised his team-mates for “switching off” at the worst moments.
“We switched off and when you switch off in the Premier League you get punished,” he said.
He added on Leno: “I spoke to him at half time and he felt he twisted his knee. As a goalkeeper, you do not want him to get injured. It is a big loss to the team.
“I don’t think he (Maupay) tried to injure him. He went for the ball like any striker would do and this is football. It can happen.
“You train hard and have to wait for your chance. I am more than ready.”
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