The Spaniard says he has never seen boss Arsene Wenger as angry during a half-time break and says his side must improve for the visit of champions Manchester United

Mikel Arteta has demanded an Arsenal backlash after Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool, which he has compared to a “car crash”.

Arsene Wenger’s side found themselves four goals down after just 16 minutes at Anfield, as the hosts got off to a flying start before coasting to an emphatic victory, with Arteta’s goal from the penalty spot a mere consolation.

The defeat, coupled with Chelsea’s win over Newcastle, means the Gunners have been knocked off top spot in the Premier League and Arteta has urged his side to react, with Manchester United up next at the Emirates on Wednesday.

“We have three days to lift the place up and we have to be realistic. After 18 minutes we were 4-0 down and it was like a car crash,” the midfielder told reporters.

“But it’s not the right thing to do to blame each other for mistakes, which is usually what happens after these games. We have to help each other and we have three days to do that.

“The next game is obviously massive because now it’s about how you react, how it has affected you. Every time you have a big defeat it’s like that.”

Arteta also revealed that Wenger was furious with his team at half-time and has urged his side to improve.

“The manager was really upset at half-time, that’s normal because it wasn’t good enough for this football club. The angriest I have seen him? Yes,” the Spaniard added. “We have to react, we have to improve on what we have done.

“We know we need to face those games in a different manner because we fought really hard to get in this position. But we’ve been here before and have managed to come back so hopefully we will do it again.

“People say we lose the big games, but we’ve won some big games as well, at home and in Europe.

“We’ve had two big crises already. I think Manchester United was a different game to this, but City and this one are really hard to take.”