Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said the Red Devils' 3-2 defeat at Arsenal was defined by the 'small details' and 'decision making'.
Eddie Nketiah's 89th-minute winner kept Arsenal on course for the 2022-23 Premier League title as they sealed three points against United late on.
Ten Hag celebrated first after Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a wonderful strike from outside the box. Still, United's celebrations were cut short when Gunners prodigy Eddie Nketiah nodded home to level the score.
Mikel Arteta's side stepped up a notch after the break and got their reward from Bukayo Saka, who cut in before scoring an impressive goal with his left foot.
Then, United replied moments later, as bandaged Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez cleverly headed the ball above goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale into the net.
It looked like the affair would end 2-2, but Nketiah made sure he had the last say as he sent the Emirates in ecstasy after a VAR check granted his close-range goal late on.
Speaking to BBC Sport, United boss Erik ten Hag asserted: "It was a great game with a lot of tempo and the audience is the big winner. Two top teams but of course, we are disappointed when you lose this game at a late stage. All the goals we conceded today are mistakes - it can't happen.
"Even last week, we were so hard to beat in such situations. Today we were not. All three goals, we could have avoided.
"They are very good on the ball but we are a good defending team. There were not a lot of open chances. We made mistakes which we cannot make. This game was decided by small details but also the decision-making. That is hard to accept and we have to learn from it.
"I want to win. It is not good enough. We want to be number one but not if we make mistakes. That is clear and what I told them."
'To concede right at the end is gutting'
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw told Sky Sports: "In the second half we deserved that, we were a bit passive and let them control the game completely. To concede right at the end is gutting. We were fighting to the last second but we have to concentrate for the full game and one lapse in concentration could cost you a goal.
"Always coming to the Emirates, they start really fast. We had a bit more control in the game, aggressive and winning the ball high up but we backed off in the second half and they had chance after chance. They were going to have one more chance late on.
"You have to give them credit for what they have done this season, they deserve to be at the top with how they are playing. There is a long way to go and we have to focus fully on our next game, a big semi-final [against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup] coming up.
"The quality of these games is getting much higher. It was tough to be involved in but these are games you want to play in and test yourselves. We are all gutted in the changing room to concede so late on and it is a reality check."
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