Coach Arteta: 'Arsenal is not under pressure to win the title'

"When a club plays with such fluidity at the start of the game, there's no pressure," Arteta said after the draw at the Olympic Stadium. "We didn't show any pressure from the title race when we were 2-0 up, but we weren't doing what the game asked for at the time."

On the London field, Arsenal started jubilantly when leading West Ham two goals after only 10 minutes. In the 7th minute, Ben White stretched for Gabriel Jesus to cushion the empty goal. A few minutes later, it was Gabriel Martinelli's turn to assist captain Martin Odegaard with a close-range shot to net Lukasz Fabianski.

However, Arsenal could not maintain the dominance and let West Ham rekindle hope at the end of the first half. After Thomas Partey lost the ball right in front of the penalty area, midfielder Gabriel stopped Lucas Paqueta in the penalty area, helping West Ham receive a penalty. From the penalty spot, Said Benrahma shot to the right, against the judgment of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The visitors had a good chance to restore the two-goal lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute because Michail Antonio used his hand to play in the West Ham penalty area. However, Bukayo Saka missed the post. Arsenal paid a heavy price when Jarrod Bowen sealed a 2-2 draw just three minutes later.

According to Arteta, Arsenal started the game extremely well, dominated, scoring two beautiful goals but making mistakes in passing, rather than scoring more to finish off the opponent. The Spanish coach also intended his students to have a contrasting performance between the two halves like the match against Liverpool - a match where Arsenal also led two goals away, but was equalized 2-2 in the end. "We gave them hope, instead of ending the game early," he said. "West Ham saw the opportunity and started playing directly. Obviously, when conceding two goals, the strikers have to do better."

Arteta also considers Saka's penalty kick to be a turning point, although he does not blame the student. He said: "If I had entered, it would have been 3-1. But two minutes later it was 2-2. That's part of football. For me, the most important thing is how Arsenal play afterwards. when leading 2-0".

The 41-year-old coach considers the two draws against Liverpool and West Ham as lessons for Arsenal to regain the winning streak in the next match against Southampton on the evening of April 21. "This is what we need now," insisted Arteta. "Don't take anything for granted. We deserve to win games in the Premier League. Today, Arsenal played well in the first 35 minutes, but the performance after that was not enough."

Sharing the views of the Spanish teacher, Odegaard said that Arsenal "do many stupid things" and gave themselves the opportunity to win points for West Ham. According to the Norwegian midfielder, West Ham made Arsenal difficult with long balls, throw-ins and corners after finding a goal to shorten the score. "We have to make sure that this is not the problem. The most important thing is the next game," he said.