Mikel Arteta admitted Premier League leaders Arsenal lacked composure of their shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Everton on Saturday. James Tarkowski‘s second half header condemned Arsenal to simply their second league loss this time period. It was a irritating blow for Gunners boss Arteta, who had hoped to open up an eight-point lead over second positioned Manchester City. For the primary time since shedding at Manchester United in September, Arsenal tasted defeat and Arteta claimed his gamers weren’t composed sufficient to deal with Everton’s aggressive game-plan below new boss Sean Dyche.

“We had loads of the ball but we lacked that purpose and quality in the final third, we generated many chances. But then we conceded and they slowed the game down and we struggled,” Arteta stated.

“Everton do this to every team that is their strength with the height, the physicality is their strength, if you want to control the game against them you have to control this. We did not do that today.

“We wanted extra composure and to manage emotionally the sport higher. We gave away so many pointless free-kicks and that is what they need.”

Manchester City could close the gap on Arsenal to two points if they win at Tottenham on Sunday.

But, despite his criticism of their tepid performance at Everton, Arteta backed his players to survive the tense title race.

“Today I like them a lot better than the week earlier than or a month in the past. It is straightforward to be subsequent to somebody when they’re successful properly. I’m nonetheless so pleased with all of those gamers, they deserve it,” he said.

“This is just not going to be a rose pathway. This goes to be tough and we should dig in and play a lot better than we did as we speak.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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