Mikel Arteta slammed over ‘strange’ decision as Arsenal lose to West Ham

Mikel Arteta has slamme over his ‘strange’ substitutions as Arsenal unsuccessfully chase the game in a damaging defeat to West Ham.

Arsenal’s hopes of reeling in Liverpool สมัคร ufabet กับเรา รับโบนัสทันที and lifting the Premier League trophy were dealt another blow on Saturday as Arteta’s side were beaten 1-0 by West Ham.

With midfielder Mikel Merino thrown up top following his impressive cameo in last weekend’s victory over Leicester City, Arsenal failed to break West Ham down and fell behind on the stroke of half-time through Jarrod Bowen’s goal.

Arteta threw on Myles Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko with 30 minutes remaining but ex-England goalkeeper Rob Green was baffle by the ‘strange’ substitutions.

Kudus still had plenty of work to do from that position but as there were no covering defenders and David Raya was way off his line Lewis-Skelly was deeme to be denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Speaking on during Arsenal’s damaging defeat, former Premier League star Green said: ‘The substitution were a little strange from Mikel Arteta.

Declan Rice gives you a presence in the box with his late runs, Oleksandr Zinchenko brings a bit of guile in midfield but it’s also another two left backs coming onto the pitch.

‘The ball gets to certain players in this Arsenal side and they are just not playing well. The body shape is wrong when they receive the ball and things break down. Leandro Trossard is one of them. 

‘It’s a really good away performance from West Ham so far. It was a great goal from the combination of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen. 

‘At the other end they have had their shape and defende really, really well. There have bodies in the way and it’s tough for Arsenal to break through. Arsenal have got it all to do. 

‘Arsenal are down to ten men, just throw it in the box. Instead Martin Odegaard plays the ball short to William Saliba and then he goes back to David Raya. Such strange play. 

‘Individual quality just isn’t there for Arsenal. They get into the West Ham final third and there is such a lack of quality.’

The defeat means Arsenal stay eight points behind Liverpool ahead of the Reds’ huge clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The fact Arsenal didn’t bring in a striker in January. A massive day.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson, meanwhile, declare Liverpool ‘league champions’ after West Ham silence the Emirates Stadium.