Arsenal were unable to get back to winning ways as they took on Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal and Chelsea battled to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in this Premier League clash.
Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the lead around the hour mark, with the impressive Martin Odegaard providing the assist on his first Premier League start since returning from injury.
However, the Blues hit back ten minutes later, as Pedro Neto cut inside from the right flank and fired past David Raya from range.
Mikel Arteta slams Arsenal stars after Chelsea draw
Whilst taking nothing away from Neto’s finish into the bottom corner, Mikel Arteta made it clear that he was not impressed with his players’ attempts to deny the goal.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, the Spanish coach did not hold back in assessing his side’s defensive efforts.
Arteta said: “It is a second phase set piece and we were disorganised. We don’t reorganise quick enough and you can’t allow the pass that way. You need the quality of Neto to do it but our standards were not good enough.
“The disappointment of not getting three points is bigger [than being satisfied] and it will probably be bigger after watching it back.
“I think we dominated them, we were the better team in many phases and situations in the game and after going ahead, very disappointed in the way we conceded.
“It was so poor. It is not our standards and we don’t accept.”
Whilst Jurrien Timber largely impressed in this match, particularly when going forward, he and Gabriel Magalhaes were guilty of not closing Neto down. Whilst Thomas Partey failed to get to get to the Portuguese winger quickly enough too.
Whilst Arsenal fans aimed criticism at referee Michael Oliver, Arteta clearly felt that his side suffered a self-inflicted wound at Stamford Bridge.
Can Arsenal still win the Premier League?
This result delivered another blow to the North London club’s Premier League title hopes.
Arsenal were told that they needed to beat Chelsea in order to keep their title dream alive.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 23 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 19 |
| 4 |  BrightonBrighton | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 18 |
| 6 |  ArsenalArsenal | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 18 |
| 7 |  FulhamFulham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| 8 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| 9 |  TottenhamTottenham | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 16 |
There is now a significant nine point gap between the Gunners and current leaders Liverpool. However, Manchester City dropping points on Saturday provided Arsenal fans with a boost.
Arsenal are not quite dead and buried as far as the title race is concerned. However, their margin for error is now perilously thin.
The upcoming international break has come at a good time for Arteta. His players can now reset and recharge their batteries. They have to hit the ground running once club football returns.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
