Arsenal must improve in both boxes to win Premier League, says Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was unhappy that his side failed to convert all their 30 shots in their 2-0 loss to West Ham United.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned his players that they must perform better in both boxes if they want to win the English Premier League title this season, after they surrendered top spot to Liverpool in midweek.
The Gunners missed the chance to move to the summit following a 2-0 defeat by West Ham United on Dec 28,
Those results meant that Arsenal are two points behind Liverpool (42) in second, but could drop further if third-placed Aston Villa and fourth-placed Manchester City leapfrog them by winning their respective matches on Dec 30.
Crucially, Arteta was unhappy about his side having 75 per cent of possession against West Ham and 30 shots on goal, but could not make them count.
They also had 77 touches in the opposition box, which is the most for a team in the Premier League who failed to score since 2008-09.
Speaking ahead of the Dec 31 trip to Fulham, the Arsenal boss said that if they continue like this without converting their shots, they can forget about winning the title.
“If we don’t improve in the boxes, no. Because at the end, that is what it is,” he said on Dec 29.
The Spaniard, however, acknowledged that the 77 touches were something to be optimistic about, despite ending up with nothing.
“You say it is a record, no? I don’t think there are many teams in the league who have done that for many years. Something very positive, I think,” he added.
“There is no panic, it is about trying to do more, do better and win games.”
Having dropped points in three of their last four league games with two losses and a draw, Arsenal will hope to enter the new year in better form and facing Fulham would be a good opportunity to get back on track.
The Gunners have won their last five visits to Craven Cottage and have scored at least three goals in their last four.
Arteta spoke ahead of the matches involving Villa and City and, by the time his match kicks off, his team could be fourth, but he is not concerned.
“We can be second as well. And if we win we can be first (before Liverpool take on Newcastle United on Jan 1),” he insisted. “We have to do what we can control.”
On the injury front, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber are all sidelined.
Kai Havertz is available for selection again after returning from a one-game suspension.
In the Fulham camp, there is little to cheer about following a third successive league defeat without scoring when they lost to Bournemouth 3-0 on Boxing Day.
It was already their 10th defeat of the season after 19 matches, and the task does not get easier against Arsenal.
“We know what we are going to face, what they are capable to do and also the things that we can exploit,” Fulham manager Marco Silva said. “If you ask me, it is going to be harder because they will want to bounce back.
“Top, top sides do not normally have two results in a row that are not positive, so probably because of that it is going to be harder.
“But at the same time, we want to bounce back as well... we want this, it is our aim.”
Silva will be missing Adama Traore and Tim Ream, while Willian – who is a former Arsenal player – is doubtful.
Raul Jimenez is back from a three-match suspension. REUTERS
