Arteta’s Arsenal ‘losing control’ in Premier League title race

After scoring twice in 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, the Gunners looked to be in cruise control, dominating the play in a similar fashion to how they did a week earlier against Liverpool at Anfield.

But as they did on Merseyside, Arsenal then lost control.

Mistakes from Thomas Partey and Gabriel gifted West Ham a route back into the game – while Bukayo Saka missed a penalty to make it 3-1 – and the Gunners were unable to wrestle back control of the game for the rest of the afternoon as the Hammers seized the initiative.

The problem is unlikely an issue of nerves in the title race, you don’t go 2-0 up away at Anfield or the London Stadium if nerves were the problem. Bizarrely, the issue seems to be more one of complacency, and naturally one of injuries. 

Arsenal have lost control of the ball in each of the past two games in a way we’ve rarely seen this season. In part, that’s down to missing William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko who each play an integral role in build-up, helping Mikel Arteta’s men to break the lines and sustain attacks, while also resisting the opposition press.

But beyond that, which is a factor out of Arsenal’s control, the Gunners have been sloppy on the ball at times, even complacent. Careless passes and breaking the shape too much have resulted in them letting their opponents back into games, games that should have been put to bed.

It’s something that Arteta will need to fix to keep up with defending champions Manchester City in the title fight, with Pep Guardiola’s men picking up win after win and in electric form.

Luckily, the Gunners remain top as things stand, with a four-point lead having played one extra game. Should City win their game in hand, the title may well come down to the game at the Etihad next Wednesday.

Before that, Arsenal host relegation-threatened Southampton at the Emirates on Friday night (8pm). A win for the Gunners would secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

*Arsenal’s U18s take on West Ham in the FA Youth Cup at Emirates on Tuesday (7pm).