Mikel Arteta admits ‘it’s not easy’ to defend Arsenal display

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could not defend his team after a damaging Premier League defeat at Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his players to “swallow the poison” of a damaging defeat at Newcastle which left their Champions League dream hanging by a thread.

The Gunners went into Monday night’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park knowing victory would leave them in pole position to claim a top-four place ahead of arch-rivals Tottenham when they entertain Everton on Sunday.