Mikel Arteta reacts to Bernd Leno's mistake in Chelsea defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to be critical about the performance of goalkeeper Bernd Leno following the club's 2-1 league defeat to Chelsea.

The Gunners put up a good showing against their London rivals and they deservedly led at the break through a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed goal.

In the second period, the north London side were mostly on the defensive and ultimately paid the price in the final quarter of the game.

Leno's failure to catch the ball from a corner kick allowed Jorginho to score the equaliser with an easy tap in at the near post.

Few moments later, the Blues launched a counter-attack and Tammy Abraham managed to beat Leno to cap off a superb comeback.

The Gunners seemed on course to register a 1-0 win until the 84th minute before Leno's mistake but Arteta has been supportive of the shot-stopper.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said that the team will get behind Leno, who has been terrific for most of the current campaign.

"He will be down. When an error costs the team points, it's harder. We have to lift him. He's done a really good job since he joined this football club," he told.