'Embarrassing' Arteta needs to 'look himself in mirror' as Arsenal title hopes deemed over

Jacque Talbot
Jacque Talbot
  • Updated: 2 Nov 2024 10:29 CDT
  • 4 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
© IMAGO

Arsenal fans have raged with frustration with Mikel Arteta following the club's 1-0 loss to Newcastle.

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The defeat has dealt a setback to the Gunner's pursuit of the Premier League title, with Alexander Isak's 12th-minute goal proving to be the difference.

Captain Martin Odegaard was sidelined with an injury and Arteta left Ethan Nwaneri on the bench, which proved unpopular with Gunners fans.

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The game leaves Arsenal five points adrift of Manchester City at the top of the table, a gap that could widen if City secures a win against Bournemouth later today.

Artea on loss

There has been some progress under Arteta. Arsenal won 35 times in all competitions last season, the win percentage of 67.3% is the highest of any Gunners season as they finished runners-up.

The Spaniard extended his contract at the Emirates to much acclaim, too. But this term has got off to a poor start and the club's title charge appears to be over before it has begun.

Arteta said after the game via Football.London: "We started really well. I think we were on top of it and then one action they have an unbelievable finish and then momentum changes. We had not enough threat to say that we can win it.

"I understand that but after eight, nine or 10 games we didn’t and we won’t talk about it now. I didn’t feel that [we lacked courage]. I think I would have felt it at the beginning of the game. I felt that when we fell behind it we lacked threat and purpose. I think we gave 17 or 18 free kicks and that was not a good outcome for us.

"Yeah we don’t have him [Martin Odegaard]. We can discuss that all day long. We haven’t had him for the last six weeks. Today we need to look at ourselves and congratulate Newcastle."

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