Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0: Thomas Vermaelen rues missed opportunity at Old Trafford, but calls for calm

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League although they saw their lead cut to two points after Robin van Persie's header gave United victory on Sunday

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen admits Sunday's defeat to Manchester United was a missed opportunity (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen has admitted Sunday's Premier League defeat at Manchester United represented a missed opportunity.

The Gunners knew they would go 11 points clear of United with their first win at Old Trafford since 2006.

However, with Chelsea and Manchester City stumbling as well, they had a chance to put plenty of daylight between themselves and the other pre-season championship favourites too.

The response, therefore, must have been pretty disappointing.

By Arsene Wenger's own admission, Arsenal were too cautious in the first half, and although they improved after the interval, David de Gea remained relatively untested in the United goal.

It led to a first league defeat since the opening day of the campaign, allowed United to force themselves right back into contention and means Liverpool are now just two points adrift of the Gunners in second spot.

"It was a bit of a missed opportunity," said Vermaelen.

"We were eight points ahead of United going into the match and had the chance to make it 11.

"Of course it was disappointing that we lost. We wanted to win the game."

The solace, such as it is, comes from the knowledge when Arsenal suffered a similarly shattering loss against Tottenham last season, they immediately embarked on a 15-match unbeaten run away from the Emirates Stadium that swept them back into a Champions League spot that seemed certain would elude them.

Now Arsenal will look to show the same resilience, and prove wrong the doubters who are back out in force.

"We are still top of the league," said the Belgian.

"We need to keep the confidence we've had over the last couple of weeks.

"There's no reason for that to change dramatically. We're still confident we can win games.

"There is still a long way to go."

PA