West Ham United 3-1 Arsenal: Below-par Gunners bow out of Carabao Cup after Hammers onslaught, Arteta takes responsibility of loss

In football match news, Arsenal has bowed out of Carabao Cup after a harrowing defeat in the hands of West Ham United, with boss Mikel Arteta accounting himself responsible for this loss. For the Hammers, a Ben White own goal started the proceedings followed by Kudus and Bowen’s wonderous shots which sealed the deal for them, as a late Odegaard consolation goal could not suffice for their loss.

West Ham trounces Arsenal

Mikel Arteta had made six changes in his squad than the side which hammered Sheffield United 5-0, with several heavyweights in the form of Bukayo Saka, Odegaard and Rice on the bench. It was a return to the Hammers ground for Rice, as he led the side to a famous Conference Cup victory last season, before switching allegiance to Arsenal in a multi-million deal. But, for the side which represented an unexpectedly below-par side, eventually losing to West Ham, it was their boss Mikel Arteta who took the blame.

The Hammers took an unexpected lead on the 16th minute through a swinging corner via Jarrod Bowen, as the English star’s swirling shot across the corner fell in front of Aaron Ramsdale, which was nodded past him by Arsenal’s own Ben White. Thus, the Gunners were inflicted with an unexpected trail of 0-1, with more than 70 minutes to play. Although it was seen that Soucek had grabbed Ramsdale’s shirt, with no VAR at this stage of the Cup, Ramsdale’s requests went in vain. With last day’s game, Ramsdale made his first start with the Gunners since September 27, after which it was David Raya that Arteta was resorting to guard the sticks.

Although Arsenal dominated possession in the game, but they were punished due to lack of dedication and being complacent by Kudus’ brilliant finish, after the former Ajax star was well positioned to trap Nayef Aguerd’s cross-field pass, before slotting it through the legs of Gabriel.

With almost the game in their pocket, Bowen decided to go for the final kill when he collected a poor defensive frailty from White, firing the volley past Gabriel, with a deflection off from Gabriel wrongly led Ramsdale, thus sealing the deal for the Hammers.

Odegaard was instrumental in grabbing a consolation goal at the dying minutes, slotting the ball at the lower bottom, as Arsenal’s 30-year wait for the Cup continues.

“I’m responsible”

Arteta was heard speaking about taking all the blame on himself after the game, as he said, “I’m very disappointed. I’m responsible for that. We’re out of the Cup, we wanted to play a very different game and compete.”

He further added, “The game took a direction because of the first goal but we have to see much more from the team and earn the right to win. I’m disappointed with myself. We wanted to play in a different way and we weren’t able to do that. Every time we lose the pain is there. “

“We have to use this pain and this defeat to prepare the best way for Newcastle [in the Premier League] on Saturday.”

West Ham hero Bowen was seen speaking to BBC Radio Live about the result and their performance, in which he mentioned about fighting spirit which embodies their mentality. He said, “We had to fight, we knew we were playing a top side but it was a really good performance compared to the last few [games]. We have not been at the level, but we were always going to bounce back and tonight was the perfect way to do it.”

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