Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says defeat to Brighton was "unacceptable".

With their hopes of a Champions League return fading fast, Arteta admitted he faces a huge challenge in lifting spirits among his playing squad for the challenges ahead.

"Absolutely [it will be hard to do]," he said. "I think when you lose two games in a row that hardest thing to do is to lift the players up and believe again in what we are doing.

"The context of the last game against Man City and this one is completely different.

"I am much more upset today because I know the accident that happened against City but the accident today was provoked by us and it's unacceptable."