Mikel Arteta rued Arsenal’s loss of purpose after they went 2-0 up against West Ham and then blew the chance of victory.
The Hammers hit back to draw 2-2 at London Stadium yesterday, in a damaging result to Arsenal’s title hopes, with Manchester City now just four points behind with a game in hand.
Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss early in the second half was compounded by Jarrod Bowen’s equaliser two minutes later, as Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead for the second game running, having previously done so at Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard put the Gunners 2-0 up inside 10 minutes at West Ham, but Arteta thinks his team grew complacent.
“Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose,” he told Sky Sports.
“We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them. We got on the roller coaster where everything is going, corners and throw-ins, and we never got away from that.
“The purpose we needed for a third and fourth goal, I didn’t see it.”
Arsenal’s lack of focus was exemplified by Thomas Partey’s mistake in the build-up to West Ham’s first goal, with Declan Rice robbing the midfielder of possession before Lucas Paqueta drew a clumsy challenge from Gabriel Magalhaes.
Saka ultimately missed the chance to restore Arsenal’s two-goal advantage when he skewed wide from the penalty spot following Michail Antonio’s handball, but Arteta was philosophical about the youngster’s profligacy.
“A player who takes penalties missed penalties, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t,” Arteta said of Saka, before adding Arsenal “can’t control” the pressure in the title race.