Arsenal paid dearly for a sluggish start against Manchester United on Sunday, a fact to which Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna affirms.

The Red Devils broke the deadlock at the 27th minute mark, courtesy of a Robin van Persie header coming from a set-piece.

"After playing like that during the first half, we couldn't expect more," Sagna told arsenal.com.

"The only positive today is we kept playing during the second half, we showed them we were a better team but we had to do this all through the game and we started playing too late."

"We wanted to finish [the week] on a good note, we didn't, so it's a bit hard to take. That is football, I think we learn about our team, about football as well."

"If we don't give the maximum and if you lose decisive challenges you put yourself in trouble and that's what happened during the first half."

Sagna believes that his side should have an optimistic mindset and the best way to bounce back is to win their upcoming fixture against Southampton.

"But I want to think positive, I want to keep looking forward, I want to think we are first and we want to stay first. The best way to do it is to respond well on the next game," he reiterated.

The Frenchman made an impact in the second-half, providing quality crosses to his teammates inside the box.

"Yes, I think we created some nice chances," said Sagna. "Unfortunately we didn't score."

"We need to keep working hard. I need to keep working hard to try to serve the forward players as much as I can. I think I did quite well. Now we're going into the international week and we're going to be ready to start again from the Southampton game."

RELATED STORIES