Arsenal faced a significant setback in their Premier League title ambitions after a 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday. Despite entering the match with an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak, including 10 wins and 5 draws, Arsenal missed the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool. The loss leaves Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the table, a position they further solidified after West Ham's victory over Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains resolute in the face of adversity, insisting the fight for the title is far from over.
Arsenal's recent performances have been marked by consistency, even as they contend with numerous injuries and suspensions. Arteta's side has faced over half an hour of playing time with a red card in five separate matches this season. Despite these challenges, Arsenal maintained a goal difference of +23, mirroring that of Liverpool. However, the defeat against West Ham highlights the challenges of maintaining momentum in a competitive league.
"If someone tells you at the start of the season that by this time, you have played five times with a red card with over half an hour in each game and you've lost this amount of players [to injury], what's the bet you are in the middle of the table at least and out of the Champions League," said Mikel Arteta.
Arteta expressed pride in his team's resilience and ambition amidst such adversity. He remains determined to push forward, asserting that Arsenal will continue to strive for improvement.
"But that's not the situation and it tells you about the resilience and ambition that the team has. That has been probably one of my proudest moments in that sense. When you're there, you want more," Arteta stated.
"And over my dead body will we stop thinking that way and putting everything we possibly can to improve that," he added.
The defeat also drew criticism from commentators like Gary Neville, who suggested Arsenal's title hopes were dwindling due to a lack of activity in the winter transfer window. He noted that Arsenal had left themselves short in their squad depth, impacting their ability to compete at the highest level.
"Leandro Trossard is a bit-part player in my opinion. There's absolutely no chance Arsenal can win the league," said Gary Neville.
"I've seen enough today to know they are going to struggle until the end of the season. They've got 12 games left and will do well to win half of those," Neville continued.
A bright spot for Arsenal has been the emergence of young talent such as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. However, Nwaneri struggled against West Ham, reflecting the challenges faced by inexperienced players in high-stakes matches. Arteta remains optimistic about Nwaneri's potential despite this setback.
In contrast, Paul Merson commented on Leandro Trossard's limited impact on the team, highlighting concerns about squad depth and quality. These sentiments echo Neville's assessment of Arsenal's current position.
Despite these criticisms, Arteta remains undeterred. He acknowledged the team's challenges but emphasized their commitment to pursuing success.
"If we can't, I might as well go home," Arteta remarked, underscoring his determination to remain in the title race.
Gary Neville also pointed out Arsenal's struggles in recent matches, citing their inability to capitalize on opportunities and secure crucial points. He predicted continued difficulties for Arsenal as they navigate the remainder of the season.
"Suddenly the PSV game in the Champions League is a heads or tails. They've got nothing up front. They are toothless. Centre-forward is such an art, you can't just throw someone up there. I don't see them beating Nottingham Forest either – I'd be shocked," Neville commented.
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