Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said his side need a "reset" following their 2-1 defeat at Fulham on New Year's Eve.
It was a second successive Premier League defeat as well as back-to-back London derby losses for Arsenal after they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United, and means they have picked up only four points from a possible 15 over their last five matches.
The Gunners missed out on ending 2023 top of the table and instead fall to fourth, with Arteta saying the performance at Craven Cottage can't happen again if they are to fulfil their ambitions this season.
"We certainly need a reset after today because that’s going to be in our tummy for a few days. The game against West Ham felt very different because you can move on, it can happen," Arteta told the club's official website.
"What happened today cannot happen again. If you do that, you’re never going to have the chance to be where we want to be. Today it could have been a beautiful way to finish the year top of the league.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +62 | 91 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +62 | 89 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +45 | 82 |
| 4 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +15 | 68 |
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +13 | 66 |
"These are the margins and you have to find the balance. It could have been the best day and it can be even the worst day because you have lost a game but we have to look at ourselves in the mirror because today is the worst game that we had this season, that’s for sure."
The Gunners are next in action on Sunday 7 January, when they host Liverpool in the FA Cup third round, before facing Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League on Saturday 20 January.
