Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has expressed his dissatisfaction with West Ham and has identified the individual responsible for their distress.

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has expressed his dissatisfaction with West Ham and has identified the individual responsible for their distress.

 

 

Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal’s unexpected loss to West Ham had left him feeling “extremely angry” and that he was responsible for failing to uphold the necessary standards.

 

 

The Hammers were dealt a severe blow to their Premier League title aspirations when Jarrod Bowen secured all three points with a headed effort just before the interval, leaving the hosts to pay the price for their shortcomings. They were unable to penetrate West Ham’s disciplined defence and lacked a cutting edge in attack. Bowen’s free header was the result of a lapse in concentration.

 

 

The situation was further exacerbated by the dismissal of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had only recently been introduced from the substitute, for failing to capitalise on a clear scoring opportunity in the second half. Despite being deployed as the sole striker,

 

 

 

Mikel Merino appeared to be in a state of confusion at times. The 28-year-old was unable to effectively lead the line or make the appropriate movements. Arsenal’s failure to acquire a striker during the January window was further exacerbated by his subpar performance.

 

 

Arteta flatly denied that the defeat was due to a lack of forward options at his disposal when questioned. I am discussing the standards, which encompass myself. It was not even close to the threshold required to secure the Premier League.