Mikel Arteta admits ‘sloppy’ Arsenal only have themselves to blame after latest collapse at West Ham
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Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal only had themselves to blame after their latest collapse handed the initiative in the title race to Manchester City.
Arsenal blew a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 against West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Gunners also dropped points from a winning position at Liverpool last weekend and a Arteta was left to rue another disappointing result as their title hopes suffered a setback.
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 defended Bukayo Saka, who missed a penalty to make it 3-1 just minutes before West Ham equalised.
“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.”
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