Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has fired a warning to his injury-hit squad after their Premier League title chances were dented by a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United.
The Gunners lost further ground in the EPL title race as a loss to the Hammers leaves Arteta’s charges eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
Jarrod Bowen’s first-half goal sealed victory for Graham Potter’s side at the Emirates Stadium, with the hosts forced to play the closing stages with ten men, following another red card for teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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Injuries continue to have a major impact on Arteta’s plans with Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling his only fit senior attacking options alongside 17-ear-old Ethan Nwaneri.
Sterling was left on the bench against West Ham, only coming on for the final 10 minutes, with midfielder Mikel Merino utilised as a central attacker by Arteta.
Despite the issues facing his squad, Arteta insisted injuries were not to blame for the defeat as his players simply underperformed in a key game.
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What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham?
Arteta’s post-match interview focused on the context of the result within the title race and the Spanish coach claimed the available players must show more in pressurised circumstances.
“It [the title race] is no longer in our hands. I’m really annoyed with the things that are in our hands – which is the performance and the result,” as per BBC Sport.
“We were nowhere near the levels we have to be, to have the opportunity to win a Premier league. I’m responsible for that, so I’m very angry.
“I refuse that completely [to blame injuries]. I’m talking about the standards of the players and the team who played today, me included.
“We have to look in the mirror for what we can do better, and the will, the desire, the way we run and the way we want to be champions.
“You have to deliver and it has to be with quality to break down a really good team.”
Arsenal now face a quick turnaround as they head to third-place Nottingham Forest on February 26 before their UEFA Champions League return at PSV Eindhoven on March 4.
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Arsenal injury latest: Who is missing for Gunners, return dates
Three of Arsenal’s current absentees will not play again this season after Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury in January and Kai Havertz tore his hamstring in a Dubai training camp earlier this month.
Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has also ruled himself out until November following knee surgery.
Bukayo Saka has reportedly stepped up his recovery from a thigh problem, and could be fit to return at the start of April, following the March international break.
Gabriel Martinelli is back in light training, but Arteta was non-committal over his return, which could be around the same time as Saka.
Nwaneri came off late on against West Ham with a muscle issue, but should be OK to face Forest in midweek, with Lewis-Skelly serving a one-game suspension.
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