Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was left frustrated after their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday.

Matt Ritchie's 68th-minute goal earned the Magpies their fourth straight league win and put them on 41 points with five games remaining, 13 clear of relegation.

Ayoze Perez had equalised just before the half-hour mark, canceling out Alexandre Lacazette's opener for Arsenal.

Wenger said, "It's the story of the season. 70 per cent of the ball, 2-1 up. You wonder how we lose the game.

"We concede two goals from nowhere. Second half I feel some players paid a bit physically from having the game on Thursday night.

"We played with good spirit but a bad result is the outcome. It's very hard to swallow."

On their poor away form, Wenger added: "Of course it's a concern. Traditionally we are strong away from home.

"It has a subconscious weight in our mind."