Mikel Arteta makes admission over Premier League title race after Arsenal hand Liverpool boost

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his side not to panic after surrendering top spot to Liverpool - but he has warned them they must be better in both boxes if they want to win the title.

The Gunners blew the chance to go top of the Premier League on Thursday night after losing 2-0 to West Ham at home.

Arsenal dominated much of the game and had over 70 per cent possession and 30 shots on goal, but they failed to make it count.

Arteta’s side also had 77 touches in the opposition box against West Ham, the most on record in a single Premier League match for a team who failed to score.

And asked if a team playing like that can win the title, Arteta said: “If we don’t improve in the boxes, no. 

“Because at the end that is what it is. But generating the rest, yeah. You say it is a record, no? I don’t think there are many teams in the league who have done that for many years. Something very positive, I think. 

“It’s not panic, it is about trying to do more, do better and win games. If the team plays like this, we are going to win a lot of games.”

Arteta’s side are next in action on Sunday when they head to Fulham and, if results go against them, they could be fourth by the time that game kicks off.

“We can be second as well. And if we win we can be first,” Arteta said. “We have to do what we can control. 

“It’s not time to look at other teams. You see how difficult it is for other teams yesterday and today and it is going to continue to be like that, because the level of the league is incredible.”