Arsenal's dramatic late turnaround at Bournemouth proved that they should have produced a better performance across the 90 minutes, according to Olivier Giroud.
The Gunners found themselves 3-0 down inside an hour at Vitality Stadium but snatched a point thanks to strikes from Alexis Sanchez, Lucas Perez and Giroud, who nodded in the equaliser in the 92nd minute.
The France international played a key role in all three of Arsenal's goals to ensure that they closed to within eight points of leaders Chelsea, who take on Tottenham on Wednesday at White Hart Lane.
And although he was pleased with his side's mental fortitude, Giroud could not help but rue the fact that Arsenal did not hit their stride until 70 minutes had already been played.
"I'm pleased to help the team by scoring the equaliser but I'm still disappointed," he told Sky Sports. "It's nice to come back but the way we played at the end, that made me think we should have done better.
"At least we came back, showed great mental strength and I will take it."
It wasn't the win we wanted - but what a second-half comeback that was— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 3, 2017
Thank you, as ever, for getting behind us #WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/irmYPp5iyZ
Midfielder Aaron Ramsey believes his side showed that they will not give up on the Premier League title fight but conceded that they face an uphill battle to catch Antonio Conte's side at the top.
"It shows we're prepared to fight until the end," said the Wales international. "That's the message we hope to give out but it's going to be difficult now.
"There's a long way to go so hopefully there will be some more twists and turns."