Arsenal’s Carabao Cup journey came to an unceremonious end as they fell to West Ham in a disheartening 3-1 defeat in the fourth round. While the disappointment weighed heavily on the Gunners, Mikel Arteta, the mastermind behind their campaign, was quick to step forward and shoulder the blame.
As the final whistle confirmed Arsenal’s exit from the competition, Arteta knew that the post-match narrative had to begin with him. The Gunners’ misfortunes were not merely a result of the night’s performance but rather a collective responsibility that he was willing to bear.
The turning point of the match arrived as Ben White inadvertently directed Jarrod Bowen’s corner into his own net, gifting West Ham an early lead. The woes continued for Arsenal as Mohammed Kudus curled a precise shot into the bottom corner to double the deficit after the break.
Bowen then added to Arsenal’s misery with a clinical strike from the edge of the box, sealing West Ham’s passage to the next round. Although substitute Martin Odegaard managed to salvage a late consolation with a well-placed finish, the damage had been done.
Arteta, who had made six changes from the side that had crushed Sheffield United 5-0 in the Premier League just days earlier, was eager to direct the criticism inwards during his post-match media duties. He shared his deep disappointment with Sky Sports, acknowledging that he held the responsibility for the night’s shortcomings.
With a sense of accountability, Arteta stated, “I’m responsible for that. No excuse, because it wasn’t good enough, we didn’t compete well enough.” He emphasized that he had spent 48 hours warning his team about the challenges that lay ahead, the importance of competition, and the necessity of earning the right to play. However, the team’s performance fell far short of his expectations.
Arteta didn’t dwell on the questionable first goal, which may not have stood had VAR been in use. Instead, he honed in on the overall lackluster display by his side. Urgency, speed in ball movement, and the ability to retain possession in key areas were all areas where the Gunners had fallen short. Their defensive lapses had hindered their presence in the final third, and Arteta recognized the need for substantial improvement.
The night’s selection had included Aaron Ramsdale in goal, a departure from David Raya, while Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Jakub Kiwior, and Leandro Trossard had been handed starts. Yet, they struggled to assert themselves against a resolute West Ham, leaving Arteta with a lingering sense of disappointment.