Press conference at the Emirates Stadium: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team were "off the mark" against Manchester United

ARSENE Wenger this evening said his players had underperformed in Arsenal's defeat against Manchester United and admitted the team had suffered a "massive blow" by losing 3-1 at home to their title rivals.

Although he is rarely critical of his players, Wenger said his players were "off the mark".

He said: "We gave them too much room. We conceded two goals where it was a corner for us - and then a goal for them. Goals: two and three. It is a massive blow and a massive disappointment but we have to recover from that. That's part of top level football."

Nani, Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park scored the goals that did the damage.

Wenger said: "The players wanted to win, they are very down. They know our team has spirit and a good attitude mentally but it is very difficult to say straight after the game why we were not at our level. We were naive. Manchester United were better than us today. There are two reasons why they won today. One, they played well. Two, we were completely not at are level. Why? It's too early to analyse. I wouldn't like to go into any individuals performance."

Arsenal travel to Chelsea next week and then face Liverpool at the Emirates in ten days that will decide whether they can realistically still be called title contenders.

"We need something special now to stay in the race," said Wenger. "I'm conscious of that."