Mikel Arteta sends message to Bernd Leno after Arsenal goalkeeper's mistake against Chelsea

Bernd Leno was at fault for Chelsea's opening goal as Frank Lampard's side came back to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, but Mikel Arteta has offered his support

Mikel Arteta has backed Bernd Leno after the Arsenal goalkeeper's mistake gifted an equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

With 10 minutes remaining, the Gunners led 1-0 and looked on course for a crucial win thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's first half goal.

But Chelsea won a free-kick on the left, which Mason Mount whipped towards the back post. Leno came out and failed to claim the ball, leaving Jorginho to tap into an empty net.

Tammy Abraham went on to score a winner four minutes later, finishing off a counter-attack after a cutback from Willian.

Arteta refused to blame Leno, however, and said the squad will rally behind their number one keeper.

"He will be down, and when an error costs the team points we have to lift him," the Arsenal head coach said after the game.

"He's done a really good job since he joined this football club and we have to respect that

"I am really disappointed with the result and the way we conceded the goals and the timing of it. It's decision-making. It happens. It will happen again for sure, but when it happens against this type of opposition, you get punished.

"We had to sustain that level for longer periods against a very, very physical team like Chelsea. We have to move on."

Arsenal were impressive in the first period, but the Gunners' intensity noticeably dropped towards the end of the game, which contributed to Chelsea's success on the break.

And Arteta said his side had to improve their shape in matches if they were to start winning games.

"It was the structure that we need to control those type of situations. And then we just stepped back, and they are really good in transition," he said, referring to Abraham's winner.