Coach Mikel Arteta was “very, very angry” after Arsenal’s latest setback, saying his squad played below standard in a 1-0 defeat against West Ham United that damaged the club’s title hopes.
“Even though the (possession) that we had and 20 shots, I never felt that we were at the standard and the level that we needed,” the Spaniard said, according to ESPN’s James Olley. “First of all, to have more threat and then not to allow them to run, because we lost a lot of balls that we allowed West Ham to run in very dangerous positions.
“We have to be (angry). I hope we are very much because we didn’t hit the levels today and I am very much responsible of that so I am very, very angry.”
Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock with the eventual winning goal late in the first half. Arsenal struggled with just two shots on target in the contest and were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute after Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a straight red card.
Despite being low on forwards due to multiple injuries, Arteta refused to blame the team’s shortcomings on Arsenal’s lack of attacking options.
“I refuse that completely because I am talking about the standards of the players and the team that we played today, me included,” he said.
“And that was nowhere near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win a Premier League. Today no. We were very consistent, yes, but football is about what you do today and today, nowhere near.”
Saturday’s defeat could prove even more costly if Liverpool, the Premier League leaders, get a positive result against Manchester City. The Reds have a game in hand and lead second-placed Arsenal by eight points heading into Sunday’s showdown.
Arteta conceded that the title race was out of Arsenal’s hands and that he was “really, really annoyed” that the Gunners wasted another opportunity to keep pace with Liverpool.
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