Mikel Arteta apologised to the Arsenal supporters after a crushing 3-0 loss at home to Brighton on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan earned the Seagulls a deserved victory.
The defeat has apparently ended the gunners Premier League title hopes with Manchester City now needing one more win from their final three games to defend their crown.
City could be champions on Saturday night if Arsenal lose at Nottingham Forest with the gap between the top two now four points
“A really different feeling to the feeling that we all had last Sunday (at Newcastle) when we felt proud and we felt that we really did what we needed to win in certain moments. Today is completely the opposite,” Arteta admitted.
“We have to apologise to our people, especially for the second half.
A reflective Arteta added: “Obviously what the team has done over the last 10 months is very different to what anybody expected and that generates a lot of expectation as well as enthusiasm, happiness and joy.
“That’s something that has to be managed in the right way and after we have the responsibility to make sure the team performs and I am responsible for that.
“So, I hate the feeling of letting people down when they are expecting something. That’s the biggest regret I have today and I have to apologise for that” he remarked.
