Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's narrow defeat to Aston Villa: 'We didn't manage to deliver."

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side 'lacked a little bit of freshness' in their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

The Gunners fell to a narrow defeat at Villa Park after beating the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City last week.

Trezeguet's brilliant strike in the 27th minute was enough for Villa to secure three points on the day and move them out of the relegation zone.

However, Arteta said he is 'not disappointed about the attitude,' adding 'I know where we are in certain areas and where we need to improve more. We will get that."

The Spaniard told Sky Sports: "Villa gave absolutely everything and perhaps we lacked a little bit of freshness.

"Congratulations to Villa because they were put under a lot of pressure and they managed to win the game. We were in some really good positions but we didn't manage to deliver the ball.

"Emotionally and physically it's been a very demanding week but I saw a team whio wanted to fight until the end. I'm not disappointed about the attitude - I know where we are in certain areas and where we need to improve more. We will get that."

On finishing outside the top six for the first time in 25 years, the former Everton and Arsenal midfielder replied: "It tells you the gap doesn't lie. We have to make that smaller and smaller."

On a banner that flew over Villa Park Stadium reading "Back Arteta, Kroenke Out," Arteta said: "The Kroenkes and the board and the sporting director, I have their full backing. I have that 100% - the fans have to believe what I'm saying."

Arsenal have now conceded four defeats from their six away Premier League matches since the 2019-20 campaign restarted.

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