- Jarrod Bowen’s first half header sealed victory for West Ham at the Emirates
- Mikel Arteta’s says he’s ‘very,very angry’ and responsible for the defeat
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Can INEOS really be judged after 12 months?
A furious Mikel Arteta tore apart Arsenal’s performance as they ceded further ground in the title race after losing 1-0 to West Ham.
Jarrod Bowen’s winner late in the first half — his 50th Premier League goal — was enough to end a four-game winless run and give the Gunners their first defeat in 15 league matches.
A Liverpool victory against Manchester City at the Etihad today would leave the Reds 11 points clear at the top — although Arne Slot’s team will have played a game more than the north London club.
Arteta said: ‘(I’m) very disappointed. Obviously very angry as well.
‘Even with all the ball we had and 20 shots, I never felt that we were at the standard and levels that we needed.
‘We didn’t hit the levels today and I’m very much responsible for that, so I’m very, very angry.’
A furious Mikel Arteta tore apart Arsenal’s performance after their 1-0 home loss to West Ham
The Gunners suffered their first defeat in 15 league matches as their title hopes suffered a dent
When asked about whether the result was a product of injuries and not buying a striker in the January transfer window, he said: ‘No, no and I refuse that completely because I am talking about the standards of the players and the team that we played today, me included.
‘And that was nowhere near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win a Premier League. We were very consistent, yes, but football is about what you do today and today, nowhere near.’
Though Arteta claimed it wasn’t a matter of wrong team selection.
‘I would do the same,’ he added.
‘But when you lose you get it wrong, the tactics, the intentions, everything. That’s what I felt, so I have to do what I feel. After, it’s too late.’
Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for the second time in a month after dragging Mohammed Kudus to the floor on a West Ham counter-attack.
Referee Craig Pawson initially cautioned the 18-year-old for the incident, but VAR Peter Bankes ruled that Lewis-Skelly had denied the Ghanaian a clear goalscoring opportunity and the yellow card was upgraded to a red.
A delighted Graham Potter lauded his team’s performance.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off again after dragging Mohammed Kudus to the floor
Potter said: ‘Fantastic performance, very disciplined, committed, full of effort and intelligence I thought.
‘Obviously we’re playing against a fantastic team and you have to suffer at times, but the players did it well.
‘I think it’s a really big win for us and a positive day.’
