Petr Cech urges Arsenal to respond to their defeat by Chelsea as title race heats up

Petr Cech called on Arsenal to move on from the disappointment of another defeat against Chelsea to steer their Premier League title challenge back on course.

The Gunners had Per Mertesacker sent off after 18 minutes and Diego Costa scored the decisive goal in Sunday's 1-0 win for Chelsea, which leaves Arsene Wenger's men three points behind leaders Leicester with 15 games to go.

The immediate focus is on the FA Cup which Arsenal have won in the last two seasons. The Gunners play Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech (centre) wins the ball during the Premier League side's match with Chelsea

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech (centre) wins the ball during the Premier League side's match with Chelsea

Cech (pictured with former team-mate John Terry) has urged his side to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat

Cech (pictured with former team-mate John Terry) has urged his side to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat

But the next two home Premier League matches will be a further test of their title credentials, against Southampton and Leicester. Arsenal are bidding for a first championship since 2004.


'We are only three points off the lead and have Leicester and Southampton at home coming up,' Cech said on arsenal.com. They are difficult games but if we can keep winning our games, we can go back to the top.'

Arsenal beat Chelsea in August's Community Shield, but are without a league win against their rivals in nine games, since October 2011.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini added: 'We are fighting for the title and it is frustrating. We gave it everything and it was not easy against 11 men, but what can I say?

'It is a long run and we still have to fight and move forward. It is only a game but (losing to Chelsea) is frustrating and a disappointment.'

Arsenal are without a league goal against Chelsea in more than nine hours, since Theo Walcott's strike in defeat at Stamford Bridge in January 2013.

Diego Costa celebrates his 23rd-minute goal  after poking Branislav Ivanovic's cross into the net

Diego Costa celebrates his 23rd-minute goal after poking Branislav Ivanovic's cross into the net

Costa beat Gabriel to the ball to score past former team-mate Cech and give his side an early lead

Costa beat Gabriel to the ball to score past former team-mate Cech and give his side an early lead

Flamini had a fine opportunity in the first half, but rather than head it, he tried to acrobatically divert the ball in.

He added: 'I thought I could take it with one touch but it was going very quickly so it was hard.'

Wenger clung to the positives of the performance, although he admitted it would be difficult to raise spirits after the loss.

Mark Clattenburg shows Per Mertesacker the red card after bringing down Costa as he ran through on goal

Mark Clattenburg shows Per Mertesacker the red card after bringing down Costa as he ran through on goal

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini shows his frustration after missing a glorious chance to equalise 

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini shows his frustration after missing a glorious chance to equalise 

Wenger told Arsenal Player: 'We had such a high expectation level and to lose a game the way we did it it's really frustrating and difficult to accept.

'I feel we couldn't play with our real team for 90 minutes. I was very disappointed. In recent games we lost we had really hard decisions against us, against Southampton and (against Chelsea).

'We had a good attitude, a fantastic spirit. Despite a result that is negative, I think we should come out with even more belief.' 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger clung to the positives of the performance despite the disappointing defeat

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger clung to the positives of the performance despite the disappointing defeat

Petr Cech and his Arsenal team-mates are preparing for the visit of Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday

Petr Cech and his Arsenal team-mates are preparing for the visit of Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday

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