Mikel Arteta slams ‘terrible’ moment in West Ham draw amid Kolo Toure title advice

Arteta slams ‘terrible’ penalty

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has slammed his players for the way they conceded a penalty against West Ham that led to another 2-2 draw. The Gunners Premier League title hopes took a hit last week against Liverpool, and seven days on a similar outcome followed with the Hammers coming back from two goals down.

The first of those strikes came from the penalty spot courtesy of Said Benrahma and after the game Arteta was particularly critical of his players decisions in the build up to the goal. The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, to go 2-0 up and you have the game in total control.

“Then we have to blame ourselves because we lost that purpose to really attack them. Instead we kept the ball for the sake of playing and we gave them hope. Obviously we conceded a terrible penalty, the way that we gave the ball away, and after that credit to them.”

Emile Smith Rowe admission

Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe has admitted that this has been the toughest season of his career so far.

“Yeah definitely it’s been tough,” he told Sky Sports when asked about finding it difficult watching his teammates from the sidelines.

“Definitely been the hardest season of my career so far. It’s been frustrating, but obviously I’m happy with where the team are at the moment.”

Kolo Toure advice

Kolo Toure has claimed that Arsenal’s wingers could be the key to beating Manchester City in their potential Premier League title decided later this month.

Speaking about City to Sky Sports on Saturday evening, Toure said: “The space to hurt them when they play that system is on the sides. On the two sides we can see it is quite open.

“But, the problem with that, the thing that City does well, is that they’re very good on the ball and they don’t lose easy balls – it’s very hard to counter them.”