Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his players thought they merely had to turn up to beat Ostersunds FK in their Europa League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
The Gunners took a commanding 3-0 away lead into the second leg of their last-32 tie against the Swedish minnows, but they were given a scare in the first half when Ostersunds clawed two of them back in as many minutes.
Arsenal went on to confirm their place in the last 16 despite losing 2-1 on the night, and Wenger acknowledged that his players were far below the level he expects of them.
"We were not at the races in the first half. We were in trouble because we were complacent and not focused. We were open every time we lost the ball and had no ideas with the ball. That's why we were in trouble," Wenger told reporters at his post-match press conference.
"In the second half, it was much better. Our energy was high and our domination as consistent. Overall we responded very well. We did the job to qualify. That's what you have to keep from the night and that's it. We prepared properly, in a serious way, but you have external circumstances.
"The fact that we won the first leg 3-0, the fact that we have another big game on Sunday, the fact that people subconsciously think they just have to turn up to win the game. Football doesn't work like that. We played against a good side and it's what you see in the FA Cup. You can be in trouble every time you're not 100% focused.
"I felt in the first half the whole team was not at the level you expect. It was not easy for the defenders because we lost the ball too early and we didn't screen well when we lost the ball."
Arsenal will look to bounce back from their defeat when they take on Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday.
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