“They were better in both boxes” – Mikel Arteta disappointed as Arsenal fall to West Ham, losing top spot in Premier League

Arsenal were dealt a 2-0 blow by West Ham United as they lose top spot to Liverpool.

“They were better in both boxes” – Mikel Arteta disappointed as Arsenal fall to West Ham, losing top spot in Premier League

Mikel Arteta (Via X/@eurofootcom)

Mikel Arteta and co. were second best on Thursday night as Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United. The Gunners had no response to goals from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos. The loss places them 2 points away from Liverpool who have started to gain group on the rest of the teams. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was not impressed with his side’s performance at the Emirates. He was forced to admit that West Ham were better than them on both ends of the pitch.

Arsenal players may feel that the scoreline does not reflect the way the game unfolded. The majority of chances fell to the hosts, as Bukayo Saka failed to score from three separate chances in the first half. However, a defensive disaster saw Arsenal go behind thanks to a Tomas Soucek strike. Declan Rice then grazed the top netting before Mavropanos headed home West Ham’s second from a corner. David Raya did well to keep the score 2-0 as he spectacularly dove to his left to save Saïd Benrahma‘s penalty.

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The visitors were better than us in both boxes. If we don't score from 30 shots, we'll have to make 50 or 60 to do so.
Mikel Arteta said in the post-match interview

He also expressed his surprise at how West Ham managed to win this game from such a position. 

I can't imagine a game where we've had more touches in the box and had more dominance.

He, however, made sure to congratulate the opposition following their hard-earned win.

More VAR controversy as Arsenal concede 2 at home

Arsenal were on the wrong end of things as West Ham United dealt Mikel Arteta and co. their first home loss of the season. Before matchday 19, Arsenal were top of the table, one point clear of Liverpool. Even though goals from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos silenced the home crowd, the first goal was not without controversy.

Premier League VAR could not find a conclusive angle to determine if the ball was out of play
VAR could not find a conclusive angle to determine if the ball was out of play. (Via X/@ESPNFC)

It was heavily contested by the home fans and players as to whether the ball remained in play throughout the build-up to West Ham’s opener. A close replay shows that Jarrod Bowen may just have let the ball go out of play. However, it was ‘impossible’ to determine whether the ball did go out of bounds during the build-up. One particular angle showed that the ball was slightly in play.

However, in a second, alternate angle, the ball had completely disappeared. Hidden behind Bowen’s thigh, the officials were left to speculate as to whether the ball was inside play or not. Based on the limited information available, VAR was forced to let the on-field decision of letting the play continue to stand. Hence, Soucek’s goal stood and Arsenal could not recover from the same.

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