‘It was terrible’: Arteta reveals key reason behind Arsenal collapse
Mikel Arteta accepted responsibility for Arsenal’s most recent collapse, which allowed Manchester City to take control of the title race.
The Gunners gave up a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with West Ham at the London Stadium.
This was not the first time Arsenal has lost points from a winning position; they also did so against Liverpool in the previous week. Arteta expressed disappointment at the outcome and acknowledged that Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title were now in jeopardy.
Arteta said: “Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, to go 2-0 up we were in total control and then we have to blame ourselves. We lost that purpose to attack them. Instead we kept the ball for the sake of it and gave them hope.
“It was terrible how we gave the penalty away. And after that credit to them. They started to play direct, we could not control those situations and got on that rollercoaster where everything is throw ins, corners, corners and throw ins, and we never got away from that.
“What we did in the second half was not enough. The purpose we needed for third and fourth goal, I did not see it. Then we started to get sloppy and playing flicks and losing the ball inside too many times and allowing counters, and it broke our flow.”
Arteta supported Bukayo Saka despite his missed penalty, which could have resulted in a 3-1 lead just before West Ham’s equalizer.
“A player who takes penalties misses penalties, I do not know anyone who does not,” said Arteta. “Still, we should have done things much better.”
‘It was terrible’: Arteta reveals key reason behind Arsenal collapse