“As a professional coach I know I’m no supposed to be saying this but that guy was the reason we conceded that goal against West Ham and I’m so angry at him right now…He has been lazy lately”: Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta names ONE player who was responsible for Arsenal defeat against West Ham

Mikel Arteta admitted to being ‘very angry’ and blamed himself for not maintaining the required standards following Arsenal’s surprise defeat to West Ham.

Jarrod Bowen secured all three points for the Hammers with a headed effort just before the break, with the hosts being made to pay for their shortcomings in a brutal blow to their Premier League title hopes.

They were unable to break through West Ham’s disciplined defence and lacked a cutting edge in attack, while a lapse in concentration was to blame for allowing Bowen a free header to score.

Things went from bad to worse when Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had not long come off the bench, was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the second half.

Speaking after the final whistle, Arteta fumed over his side’s disjointed display and lamented their inability to conjure up some positive momentum. He also took responsibility for failing to ensure that his players met the standards expected of them.

“Very disappointed, obviously very angry as well,” said the Spaniard. “You have to congratulate West Ham for the victory. For as well a lot on our side. It didn’t allow us to get enough momentum.

“I never felt that we were at the level or the standard. It’s my responsibility. We have to change that.”

Mikel Merino was deployed as the lone striker but looked lost at times, with the 28-year-old struggling to make the right runs or lead the line effectively. His poor display raised further questions over Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker in the January window.

When asked if the defeat was down to the lack of forward options at his disposal, Arteta replied: “No, I refuse that completely. I’m talking about the standards, me included. It was nowhere near the level that we need to win the Premier League.

“I think we have to look in the mirror of ourselves of what we can do better, what we have done and the will and the desire and the way we run and the way we want it, zero question about that. But at that level, this is not enough.

“You have to deliver and it has to be with a lot of quality to break a really good team down, to win many more games than we have done and to put actions that can end up in really threatening moments to win the games and today we haven’t done that.”

Arsenal’s defeat means Liverpool could go 11 points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League table if they beat Manchester City on Sunday.

“It’s not in our hands,” said Arteta when quizzed on what the result could mean for the bigger picture. “I’m really, really annoyed of the things that were in our hands.”