Mikel Arteta refused to criticise his players after defeat at Southampton but challenged them to "look in the mirror" and make sure the season will still be a successful one for Arsenal.

In their first game since losing the Carabao Cup final, Arteta's team put in another tame performance as Saints sensed and took their opportunity with goals from Ross Stewart and substitute Shea Charles.

The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League over Manchester City. It's very much in their hands still, however, with so many players out of form and injuries mounting again, does this leave Arsenal vulnerable?

Arteta said: "I love my players, what they have done for nine months. I'm not going to criticise them for losing here. What they are putting their bodies through, some didn't have to be here today. I'll defend them more than ever. If someone has to take responsibility that's me. We have the most beautiful period ahead of us. Normally you have two or three moments like this in a season, this is the first moment with level of difficulty. Let's stand up, make ourselves count.

"No excuses about players that are missing or that...