Mikel Arteta explains what cost ‘dominant’ Arsenal against Man Utd

The Gunners slipped to their first defeat of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has bemoaned his side’s wastefulness in front of goal after slipping to a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders had 60.5% of possession and 16 shots compared to United’s 10, but only hit the target three times as their perfect start to the season ended at Old Trafford.

Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s only goal of the game on the hour-mark to cancel out Antony’s first-half opener for United. Two goals from Marcus Rashford later on, however, finished the Gunners off.

“I am really disappointed to lose the game, especially with the way it went over the 95 minutes,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“We had some big periods where we were totally dominant and in total control. We created chance after chance but did not close the game. In any moment, when they have open spaces, they are going to hurt you.

“They had three big chances and scored three goals, we have numerous chances and we didn’t score enough. We had a period in the first 18 minutes when we struggled and did not control the game, but after that it was all us.

“We lose the ball in a really difficult place and play a ball in an area we don’t have to and one pass and they are through.

“We should come here and win because of the way we play. Because of the performance and the way we dominated the game.”

Referee Paul Tierney disallowed Arsenal a 12th-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli after deeming that Martin Odegaard fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up.

“The referee said it was a really soft decision,” Arteta added. “We just ask for consistency. Today we had a disallowed goal again; there is nothing we can do unfortunately now.”

Arsenal return to action on Thursday for their first Europa League game away to FC Zurich in Switzerland.