Mikel Arteta makes title admission as Arsenal threw away two-goal lead at West Ham

Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal was solely responsible for their recent collapse, which resulted in Manchester City gaining an advantage in the title race.

The game, which hinged on two penalties, ended in a 2-2 draw, meaning Arsenal's lead over Manchester City is now only four points with City having a game in hand.

Another disappointing display

The Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United took place on April 17th, 2023. It was a game that Arsenal was expected to win, given that their opponents were struggling with relegation.

The Gunners started the game in impressive fashion, scoring two goals inside the opening ten minutes. Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard were on target for Arsenal, and it looked like the game was over before it had even started.

However, a Said Benrahma penalty before halftime gave the Hammers a glimmer of hope. Early in the second half, Jarrod Bowen equalized for the home side, leaving Arsenal stunned. Despite having a chance to win the game, Bukayo Saka missed a second-half penalty, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Arsenal was left to rue what could have been a straightforward three points - their second consecutive regret after the same result against Liverpool last weekend.

Arteta's Reaction

After the game, Arteta was visibly disappointed with his team's performance. The Basque accused his players of lacking the 'killer' instinct and suggested that they were undone by complacency. He said that the team lost 'the purpose' after leading:

'We made a huge mistake to stop playing with the same purpose to score the third and fourth one and just thinking we could play around them and just looked too easy. We didn't understand what the game required in the moment. We need that ruthless mindset in those moments to go and kill a team. When the game is there for the killing, you have to do it. Today we haven't.'

Arteta, who captained Arsenal during his tenure at the club as a midfielder, continued:

'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.'

City still in the race

The Premier League title race has been unpredictable this season, with several teams in contention for the title.

Arsenal had been leading the table for several weeks, but their recent form has been a cause for concern. They have drawn their last two games against Liverpool and West Ham, allowing Manchester City to close the gap. By contrast, a dominating City has won their last six games and is hitting form at the right time.

Arsenal had an eight-point lead only two weeks ago, but it has now decreased to four, and City has an additional game to play. They are expected to win their remaining matches, and a victory over Arsenal next week would put them in pole position to win the title.

A decade-long wait for the Gunners

If Arsenal wins the Premier League title this season, it would be their first since 2004 when The Invincibles achieved the feat, marking a significant accomplishment for a club that has experienced a decline from its historic glory days.

The North London club has secured three Premier League titles in total since the league's formation in 1992, with all of them being won within the first 12 years of the league's establishment.

Arsenal's recent track record is not good when it comes to the title race. They have not won the Premier League since 2004, and their propensity for stumbling at crucial moments has been evident in recent seasons. Last season, they fell short of Champions League qualification after being in the box seat for so long.

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