Arsene Wenger explains how Arsenal players are still haunted by Manchester United defeat

Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United still plays on his players' minds and also admitted that it takes a while to "swallow" after the manner in which they were forced to settle for nothing at the Emirates on 2 December.

Jose Mourinho's side took a two-goal lead early in the game and defended for the majority of the match. The north London club pulled one back in the second half, but Jesse Lingard's second goal of the match meant the Gunners suffered a 3-1 defeat at home.

United goalkeeper David de Gea made 14 saves and Arsenal failed to beat the Spain international more than once, despite dominating the game. Since their defeat at the hands of the Red Devils, Arsenal were forced to settle for a point against Southampton and West Ham United.

Wenger's men are now seventh in the league table with 30 points after 17 games, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Burnely, who are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. They are also 19 points behind leaders Manchester City.

The Frenchman has now urged his players to put the defeat against United behind them and focus on their challenge ahead, which is the clash against Newcastle United on 16 December.

"It still plays on their minds. You need to get that out of the system. When you have so many chances as we had and you come out with nothing, it's difficult to swallow and it takes a little while," Wenger explained, as quoted by Sky Sports.

"I think the best way is to continue to put that behind us and focus on the quality of our game."

Wenger also saw Arsenal create more chances against Southampton and West Ham United, who defended deep and allowed the Gunners to attack. However, the Emirates club scored only once in these two matches and the 68-year-old wants his side to be more clinical in the final third in order to further avoid dropping points.

"At the moment there is a difference between points we get and the domination we have in the game," Wenger stressed.

"Of course it is down to the fact that we've played recently against two teams who defended extremely well at home.

"Maybe we have to speed up our passing and have more penetrating runs in the final third to create more chances. Maybe we need support for our central strikers in the box as well."