Following Thursday’s disappointing 2-0 home defeat to West Ham, Mikel Arteta has indicated that his Arsenal players require additional training to address their performance issues.
The Gunners displayed one of their subpar performances of the season at the Emirates, with Tomas Soucek controversially opening the scoring amid claims from Arsenal players that the ball had exited play before Jarrod Bowen’s assist. Despite a VAR check that prolonged over three minutes, the referee confirmed the goal’s validity.
Arsenal intensified their efforts for the remainder of the first half but struggled to create clear chances and often squandered possession. The decisive blow came in the second half when former Gunner Konstantinos Mavropanos headed home from a James Ward-Prowse corner. Arteta, visibly frustrated during his post-match media duties, was queried about potential January transfers but chose to focus on the existing squad’s need for additional training.
The Spaniard emphasized his admiration for the current players, stating, “What we have is the players that we have, it’s the players that I love the most.” He highlighted the necessity of enhancing situations, providing more training, and boosting confidence. Arteta emphasized the players’ past accomplishments and expressed confidence that improvement is achievable through focused training.
While Arteta’s remarks were measured, Captain Martin Odegaard’s comments were more critical. Odegaard, one of the few players earning credit from the match, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings. He pointed out the team’s missed opportunities in front of goal and emphasized the need to learn from the defeat. Odegaard identified the lack of sharpness and effectiveness in finishing as crucial aspects that need improvement.
The captain also criticized the team’s defensive performance, stating, “The goals we conceded were too easy, so definitely in front of the goals, inside the boxes, that’s where the games are decided.
We weren’t good enough today.” Odegaard’s candid assessment echoed the frustration among the players, highlighting the critical areas for improvement, both in offensive precision and defensive solidity. As Arsenal looks to bounce back from this setback, Arteta’s emphasis on dedicated training appears to be a key strategy to address the team’s current challenges and elevate their performance levels.
