Mikel Arteta bemoans "unprecedented" circumstances after Chelsea loss

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has bemoaned the "difficult" and "unprecedented" circumstances at his club following Sunday's 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

With the Gunners severely depleted by injuries and coronavirus, Thomas Tuchel's side eased to a 2-0 win at the Emirates thanks to goals from Reece James and Romelu Lukaku.

Ben White became the fifth Arsenal player to return a positive coronavirus test before the game kicked off, but Arteta believes that fans will see a "totally different" Gunners side once the medical room empties.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Arteta said: "The circumstances are really difficult and broadly unprecedented. You have to face them. It will be a completely different team [when players are back]. The team that we have seen here compared to the possible team that we have, it will be completely different."

Arteta now faces a reunion with Manchester City next weekend after the Gunners take on West Bromwich Albion in EFL Cup action in midweek, and they are still searching for their first points of the new Premier League season.