Jurrien Timber has urged Arsenal to use their last-gasp defeat to Aston Villa as motivation to "step up" in their bid for Premier League glory this season.

The Gunners went down 2-1 to Villa on Saturday, with Emiliano Buendia scoring deep in second-half stoppage time.

Arsenal had nine shots on target, their most in a Premier League away game since April 2024 (nine versus Wolves), and their most on record (since 2003-04) in a match at Villa Park, yet they lacked the clinical edge they have previously demonstrated this season.

With Manchester City beating Sunderland, Arsenal's lead at the summit has now been cut to two points, but defender Timber is staying calm.

"I think in the end you need to use it as a motivation and in the end as a strength, because it happened, and we need to accept it, and we need to get better," he said, as quoted by ESPN.

"At the same time, within the season, I think these moments happen, setbacks, and you just have to step up after that."

Timber also pointed to Arsenal's injury issues as a disruptive factor, with key defenders William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera all absent.

"Yes, it is [a disruption]," Timber said. "I think we have a great squad. I think the players that come in always do really well, but obviously it's not always easy.

"We can't play every week with the same players and if players go out again, it's tough.

"But it happens within the season.

"I think it happens at every club. With us, it's the same, and we just have to manage that and win our games."

Arsenal's focus now turns to the Champions League, with a trip to Club Brugge coming up on Wednesday.