Mikel Arteta’s Reaction — His Thoughts on Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card and Arsenal’s Painful Defeat

Mikel Merino’s stint as a striker was short-lived, and Arsenal found themselves trailing 1-0 after Jarrod Bowen’s goal, even before going down to 10 men due to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s midfield challenge—made worse by goalkeeper David Raya being 50 yards off his line.

Arteta admitted he didn’t get a clear view of the red card incident and had no intention of reviewing it, choosing instead to move on.

Arsenal’s attack, much like Shakespeare’s famous line, was “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” as West Ham comfortably defended their lead after executing a clinical counterattack under Graham Potter’s management.

Arteta’s Reaction: Frustration and Responsibility

Arteta described the loss as “very painful” and congratulated West Ham on their victory. He acknowledged Arsenal’s effort despite being down to 10 men but admitted they lacked quality and consistency in execution.

He emphasized that the team didn’t perform well with the ball and struggled to defend against a key cross just before halftime, which made the match even more difficult. He refused to blame injuries, instead taking responsibility for the team’s poor performance.

Regarding substitutions before the red card, Arteta explained they were aimed at changing the game’s dynamics, but Lewis-Skelly’s sending-off made things even tougher. Looking ahead, he urged the team to learn from the defeat, stating that such setbacks can happen to any team.

Arsenal struggled to control the game due to their ineffective ball play, while West Ham’s direct style made it a tough challenge. Despite making changes and pushing for momentum, Arsenal’s lack of quality execution ultimately cost them.

Odegaard’s Reaction: Inefficiency in Attack

Captain Martin Odegaard admitted that Arsenal didn’t perform at their best, particularly in breaking down West Ham’s defense and creating clear chances in the final third. He highlighted their lack of sharpness and efficiency in attack while also conceding that they made it too easy for West Ham to counter, especially in the second half.

On injuries, he acknowledged the missing players but insisted that those available should have done better. Despite their efforts until the final whistle, he concluded, “It wasn’t good enough.”