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

Mikel Arteta has been slammed over his ‘strange’ substitutions as Arsenal unsuccessfully chased the game in a damaging defeat to West Ham. Arsenal’s hopes of reeling in Liverpool 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 baffled by the ‘strange’ substitutions.

The changes had little effect and Arsenal even ended the game with ten men after Lewis-Skelly was sent off for hacking down Mohammed Kudus on the halfway line. 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 deemed to be denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live 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 been 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 defended really, really well. There have been bodies in the way and it’s been 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.

Graham Potter’s West Ham, meanwhile, move level with Manchester United on 30 points, 13 points above the relegation zone. Following Arsenal’s huge and potentially knockout blow, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said: ‘This was the afternoon Arsenal had to close the gap.

‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The fact Arsenal didn’t bring in a striker in January. A massive day. Liverpool fans will be made up with this result.’. Arsenal legend Paul Merson, meanwhile, declared Liverpool ‘league champions’ after West Ham silenced the Emirates Stadium.

For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Mattheus Cunha sends transfer message to Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of summer window. Arrow MORE: Michael Owen blasts VAR ‘mistake’ over Everton penalty decision in Manchester United draw.