Claude Puel says late defeat at Arsenal 'difficult to take'

Southampton manager Claude Puel was left floored by the late penalty decision that brought about his side's defeat at Arsenal.

Saints went ahead through a Petr Cech own goal and had two excellent chances to retake the lead once Laurent Koscielny had equalised, substitute Shane Long missing both.

But as Arsenal pressed for a winner in added time, referee Bobby Madley ruled Jose Fonte was the main aggressor in a penalty-box tussle with Olivier Giroud, and Santi Cazorla won it from the spot.

Puel is still searching for a first win at Saints, who have conceded penalties in three of their four games this season, and the Frenchman told Sky Sports: "All the games we've finished with a big disappointment, and it's the same today.

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"I think we made a very good game. The second half was hard at the beginning, perhaps Arsenal could have scored, but after 20 minutes we had the better situations to score. And perhaps we have to win this game.

"The finale is very difficult to accept. It's the third penalty in four games - I cannot accept this. We've played a very good game, and my players have not been rewarded.

"I don't like to speak about the referee - penalty, not a penalty - I just think two players played the ball and it's very difficult to take."

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Asked whether Long should have done better with his two second-half chances Puel said: "Shane is an international player and we have good strikers in the squad. Of course - we came here to win and take three points, and we were not far from winning this game."