"It's The Same": Arteta Plays Down Title Pressure Despite Slamming Arsenal Stars After West Ham Draw

• Arsenal suffered another devastating blow to their title hopes after a 2-2 draw against West Ham
• The Gunners had a 2-0 lead but somehow let it slip as the relegation-threatened Hammers mounted a comeback
• Arteta slammed his team, claiming they ‘lost purpose’ in the draw

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was extremely critical of his team after they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against West Ham United.

It was a draw that could have serious ramifications on the Gunners’ title credentials as it leaves them just four points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

"The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose. We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them,” Arteta said as quoted on The Mirror.

"We got on the roller coaster where everything is going, corners and throw ins, and we never got away from that. The purpose we needed for third and fourth goal, I didn't see it."

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Gunners blow it, again

The Gunners went 2-0 up in the opening 10 minutes thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard and looked well on course for another crucial victory in the final quarter of the season, as reported on BBC.

But it was the same case as last week, where they also let a lead slip to draw 2-2 against Liverpool, as West Ham somehow found a way back by halving the deficit before halftime.

Said Benrahma slotted in a penalty after Gabriel had brought down Lucas Paqueta in a goal which gave David Moyes’ side a lifeline.

Arsenal got a penalty of their own, but Bukayo Saka’s effort went hopelessly wide, and West Ham fully capitalized on it as West Ham drew level three minutes later through Jarrod Bowen, who volleyed home Thilo Kehrer's pass.

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The draw leaves West Ham in 15th place, four points clear of the relegation zone, and they could have stolen a winner late on, but Michail Antonio’s header bounced off the crossbar.

Asked whether the complexion of the title race had changed, Arteta played down any pressure from Manchester City, saying:

"It's [the title race] the same, I don't know how many notches there were a few months ago. We can't control it."

Saka breaks silence after penalty miss

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Bukayo Saka’s statement after the England star missed a penalty against West Ham.

Saka, who was subjected to abuse after his penalty miss, took to social media to break with a statement that said:

"Regardless of the outcome, I’ll always accept my responsibility. Apologies Gunners, I’ll do everything I can to make it right."