Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks his team will not win the Premier League unless they get better in both boxes – attack, and defence. They lost 2-0 to West Ham on Thursday, even though they had 30 attempts at goal.
The Gunners also recorded 77 touches in the visitors’ box but failed to find the back of the net. This is the most in a single match in the league that a team has recorded since 2008/09 and failed to score.
“There’s no panic, it’s about trying to do more and do better and win games.If we don’t improve in the boxes, then no [we won’t win the league]. Because in the end, that [the West Ham result] is what it is,” Arteta said.
The Gunners have not won the league since the 2003/04 season which they won without recording a single loss. Their title charge last season suffered a dent by dropping points in back-to-back matches against Liverpool and West Ham.
The same has happened this season. They drew 1-1 with Liverpool dropping two points in the process before falling 2-0 to the high-flying Hammers. Arteta is however not worried.
“But generating the rest, it was a record. So I don’t think many teams in the league have done that over many years, so it’s something positive I think,” the Spaniard played down the dip in form.
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The defeat to West Ham comes just in time for Arteta to make improvements in his squad in the January transfer window as Thursday’s show raises doubts over his side’s ability to win the title.
Two glorious changes missed by their main striker Gabriel Jesus and little impact from attacking substitutes – Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah – are a testament.
Arsenal will face Fulham next, and they’ve made only one change to their starting lineup in the last three matches. The only change was because Kai Havertz was suspended.
