The Gunners boss says his side must do better if they are to win the league after falling to West Ham United on Thursday night
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said his side won't win the Premier League title unless they improve at opposite ends of the pitch after the Gunners lost 2-0 to West Ham United.
Arteta's charges dominated the game in both possession and chances but fell to a Hammers side more ruthless in their approach, with David Moyes' team finding the back of the net with two of their three shots on target.
The defeat leaves Arsenal two points off first-placed Liverpool, with Manchester City able to leapfrog them after today's game with Sheffield United.
Asked whether his side can push higher up the table and win the league, Arteta was frank in his assessment.
"If we don't improve in the boxes, no," he said. "Because at the end that is what it is. It's not [time to] panic, it is about trying to do more, do better and win games. If the team plays like this, we are going to win a lot of games.
"We have to do what we can control. It's not time to look at other teams. You see how difficult it is for other teams yesterday [Wednesday] and today [Thursday] and it is going to continue to be like that, because the level of the league is incredible."
In all competitions in December Arsenal won three of seven games, and will travel to Fulham on New Year's Eve too. Asked if such a dense fixture schedule is affecting his side's form, Arteta returned to his view that taking chances is more important.
"Obviously there are a lot of games but they looked really good, looked fresh. When you win, you don't look at that. They [the players] are young. If they were 35 maybe it would be a different question. They are young, they have a lot of energy. They can keep going, that is for sure.
"Without a spark you don't generate what the team generated today [v West Ham]. It is impossible. But it is the final thing, the final touch, the final action that puts the ball in the net or not. That is what we need."
Victory at Craven Cottage would put the Gunners top as the league enters 2024, with Liverpool not playing until New Year's Day.
Reports from Portugal suggest Viktor Gyokeres' long floated move from Sporting CP to Arsenal could be in danger of completely collapsing.Parties cannot align terms for add-ons in deal Initial fee of €70m + €10m of conditional agreed Long-running saga continues to drag onWHAT HAPPENED?A report by Portuguese newspaper Record, suggests the summer's longest-running transfer saga shows no s...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Man Utd have reached an agreement to sign Byran Mbeumo Who do you think will get there first? Barcelona in advanced talks to sign Marcus Rashford "ERAs come to an end... and some begin with disaster." We all wanted to grow up fast… only to see kids these days doing things.. What were you doing at 17-18? Cunha : Help MebeumeManchester United's signing poli...
Marcus Rashford looks set to get his dream transfer from Man Utd to Barcelona.Marcus Rashford is set to join Barcelona.Marcus Rashford is on the brink of a dream move to Barcelona after the La Liga champions struck an agreement with Manchester United, according to reports. The 27-year-old forward, one of five first-team players exiled from Ruben Amorim's pre-season plans, looks set to land at the ...
Eddie Howe has spoken about the possibility of Alexander Isak joining Liverpool.Eddie Howe was quizzed on Alexander Isak following Newcastle's defeat to CelticEddie Howe has insisted that he is 'confident' about Alexander Isak staying at Newcastle despite significant interest from Liverpool. The forward has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield and appears to be facing an uncertain future. Li...
Liverpool have submitted a €90 million (£78m/$105m) bid to Eintracht Frankfurt for French striker Hugo Ekitike. Sky Sports have revealed that an agreement in principle has been established between Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt, laying the groundwork for what could soon become one of the most significant deals of the summer.Liverpool are determined to get EkitikeHave submitted a S...
Gyokeres' father 'emotionally distraught' as Arsenal transfer stallsArsenal’s pursuit of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has hit an impasse, with discussions over the transfer structure reaching a frustrating deadlock. Talks with Sporting Lisbon have made little headway in recent days, resulting in growing despondency among those closest to the player.Barcelona linked with shock move for Rea...
Harry Kane Bayern Munich 2025 FIFA Club World CupBayern Munich’s hunt for a capable understudy to Harry Kane has hit a roadblock, as VfB Stuttgart reportedly continue to resist their efforts to sign emerging forward Nick Woltemade. The Bavarian giants have already made two formal bids, but both were swiftly turned down by Stuttgart, who are holding firm on their valuation of the 23-year-old ...
Manchester City FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier LeagueKevin De Bruyne says it is "an honour" that his new club Napoli allowed him to train in the No.10, which has been retired to honour Diego Maradona.WHAT HAPPENED?De Bruyne was speaking at his media unveiling. He joined Napoli on a free transfer last month after spending the last decade with Manchester City. As a welcome gesture, the club arranged...
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Bayern München - BundesligaEx-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is reportedly set to snub a Premier League return with Sunderland despite mounting speculation about his future at Bayer Leverkusen. The 32-year-old moved to the Bundesliga in 2023 after a lengthy seven-year stint in North London, where he developed into a combative leader for the Gunners. Since then he has playe...
Viktor Gyokeres ArsenalArsenal’s pursuit of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has hit an impasse, with discussions over the transfer structure reaching a frustrating deadlock. Talks with Sporting Lisbon have made little headway in recent days, resulting in growing despondency among those closest to the player.WHAT HAPPENED?As the deal continues to stall, the once-promising move to north London...
- 1 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 2 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 3 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 6 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 7 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 8 Chelsea star’s stunning model Wag captured 'best UFO footage ever'
- 9 Man United ace Alejandro Garnacho rejects Cristiano Ronaldo reunion
- 10 Daily Laugh - Watch and remember the kids