Arsenal’s title aspirations suffered a significant setback after a disheartening 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Sunday, according to manager Mikel Arteta.

In a candid post-match press conference, Arteta did not mince words, labeling the performance as Arsenal’s “worst game of the season.” The loss marked a stark contrast to the club’s earlier form, which saw them leading the Premier League at Christmas. Arteta expressed both pain and disappointment, stressing that the team’s inability to control the game and counter Fulham’s direct play was their undoing. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

The defeat at Fulham’s hands was characterized by Arsenal’s failure to maintain an early lead, eventually conceding two goals that Arteta attributed to poor control over the game’s flow. He highlighted the ease with which Fulham won both the first and second ball, creating ample opportunities to score. Arteta’s frustration was palpable as he emphasized that such lapses are unacceptable for a team with title aspirations, stating, “What happened today cannot happen again. Because if you do that, you will never have the chance to be where we want to be.”

Arsenal’s loss leaves them in a precarious position in the league standings, ending the year in fourth place with 40 points from 20 matches, just two points behind league leaders Liverpool. This gap could widen, as Liverpool is set to play their game in hand against Newcastle United on Monday.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Arteta noted, “It could have been a beautiful way to end the year and finish top of the league, but these are the margins.” This statement underscores the thin line between success and failure in the highly competitive Premier League.

Despite the setback, the Arsenal manager remains optimistic about the team’s potential. Arteta believes in the squad’s capabilities and is focused on improvements moving forward. His confidence in the players was evident as he remarked, “We want to win games. We have a chance to be the best in the best in the league with these players. So, they are really good and we are going to continue to work with them.”

Arsenal fans and the team alike will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next league match against Crystal Palace on January 20. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for the North London side to demonstrate their resilience and reignite their quest for Premier League glory. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on  Nextbet Sports.