Arsenal lacked killer instinct in West Ham draw

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on April 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on April 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

For the second time in as many games, Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead.

Arsenal fans could have been forgiven for thinking Groundhog Day was happening against West Ham on Sunday.

After a blistering first 35 minutes that saw Arsenal obliterate the home side to such an extent that only a Gunners win looked inevitable, to hanging on for a point, it wasn’t the best of afternoons for the Gunners.

A 2-0 lead in football is a dangerous one. Does the team go for the throat and put the game beyond doubt? Or do they hit cruise control and try to see the game out? On Sunday, Arsenal seemed overconfident, and it cost them…dearly.

It marks the second consecutive game that Arsenal has given up a 2-0 lead after the odd Anfield draw with Liverpool.

In two games, Arsenal seemingly had six points in the bag but had to settle for two… and that has let Manchester City right back into the title race.

Some have come down hard on Arsenal for the lack of killer instinct, but let’s remember this is still a young side finding their way. That instinct will come, but if it keeps happening, then the title will surely be out of reach.

There is still a long way to go in the title race, and Arsenal have shown their ability to put teams to the sword in brutal fashion… they just can’t kill them off.

With the City clash looming on the horizon, Arsenal can ill afford any more slip-ups. If they do, we will likely look back at these two weeks as the games that shifted the balance in the title race to City.