Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka's penalty miss and Arsenal title hopes
Mikel Arteta has sympathised with Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal star missed a crucial penalty in the Gunners' 2-2 draw with West Ham, putting another dent in their Premier League title hopes.
For the second time in as many weeks, Arsenal spurned a 2-0 lead to drop points in the title race. Arsenal had taken their lead inside the opening 10 minutes thanks to Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, but were pegged back by goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen.
Arsenal did have a chance to put the game to bed in the second half when Michail Antonio conceded a penalty kick, but Saka stepped up to put the resulting spot-kick wide of the post.
The result leaves Arsenal four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, but the Citizens seemingly now are in the driver's seat in the title race due to their game-in-hand and the fact that they will welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium before the end of the season.
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Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, Arteta was quick to defend Saka for his penalty miss.
"A player who takes penalties misses penalties, I don't know anyone who hasn't," he said.
When asked if anything changes about their approach to the title race following two poor results, he replied: "It's the same, I don't know how many notches there were a few months ago. We can't control it."
The Arsenal manager also took the time to assess the performance itself, saying that his side 'lost purpose' after a brilliant opening 15 minutes of the game: "Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose.
"We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them. We got on the roller coaster where everything is going, corners and throw ins, and we never got away from that.
"The purpose we needed for third and fourth goal, I didn't see it."