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Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal put in their best performance of the season against Manchester United - but were made to pay after lacking killer instinct.
The Gunners dropped to eighth - two points shy of fourth spot and a further 13 behind league-leaders Chelsea - after a 2-1 defeat to Louis van Gaal's side at Emirates Stadium.
And Arsene Wenger was left to rue missed chances after the whistle, as Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere spurned notable openings in the first period.
Wilshere was particularly guilty as he powered into the box before firing straight at David de Gea from eight yards - and Arteta was perplexed by the defeat.
"I'm shocked," the Spaniard told reporters.
"I think we played our best game this season – the quality in the way we attacked, how we won the ball back, how consistent we were throughout, the amount of chances we created.
"When you are in the box and you can't manage to score in that many situations, you can't expect to win. It’s not fair for the players and the fans. How can I explain the result? I can't.
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"I am shocked and frustrated because we did not deserve this result considering the opposition we were playing against.
"I can only put it down to bad luck on the first goal which totally changed the game, at a time when we were absolutely controlling and hammering United.
"After they took the lead we had to take more risks to try to get back into the game and United have the players up front to cause you problems at any time.
"But I feel so sorry for the lads and for our supporters because they were terrific and I don't think we deserved this result."
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He added: It’s [a lack of] ruthlessness, for sure. When you are in the box and you can't manage to score in that many situations, you can't expect to win."
