Arsene Wenger Says Arsenal Paid For Mistakes In Defeat To Manchester United

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed that his side "paid for the slightest mistake" during the surprise defeat to Manchester United.

The Gunners created a number of chances to clinch the points in the first half alone but an own goal from Kieran Gibbs and Wayne Rooney's effort after the break contributed them to another defeat – leaving them with just 17 points from 12 games, their lowest in the last 32 years.

"It was one-way traffic and we lost the game, we have to take it on the chin. I know we'll be criticised for it but you have to respect the energy levels we put in," Wenger said after the game.

"We paid for the slightest mistake and it's very frustrating to come away with nothing.

"We had the best chances and we could have finished better. At 1-0 we should have been more cautious not to give the second goal away. There was plenty of time to come back and that's where we made the mistake."

With 16 points separating them from leaders Chelsea, Arsenal look already out of the Premier League title race but Wenger believes the team have what it takes to turn the situation around.

"In our job when you don't win, you're very concerned but there are a lot of positives in this team. If we can keep this going with the quality and the energy levels we have, we can bounce back very quickly."

Meanwhile, Wenger was unable to confirm the the extent of the injuries suffered by Jack Wilshere and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who were both forced to leave the pitch during the game.

"Szczesny is not a bad injury but I don't know about Wilshere," he said.