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Arsenal are in a "difficult and unprecedented situation" after their record-breaking poor start to the season, according to Mikel Arteta.

After 2-0 defeats by Brentford and now Chelsea, Arsenal have lost their first two league games without scoring for the first time in their history.

 
The squad has been hit by Covid and injuries in the opening two weeks.

"I don't think the club in their history have faced something like this," boss Arteta told BBC Sport.

"We have to face the challenge. The league or table is not decided in August. The worst thing you can do is throw in the towel. We certainly are not going to do that."

Romelu Lukaku - on his first appearance since joining Chelsea for £97.5m - and Reece James scored the goals and the Blues could have added more.

Arsenal are in the relegation zone at the end of a day - excluding on the opening day of a season - for the first time since August 1992.

Arteta added: "You have to understand the situation we have. We are missing nine players, and it is difficult. It is not just nine players - they are some big, big players."