Paul Merson hits out at Arsenal’s ‘unacceptable’ inconsistency as they go 3-0 down after 32 MINUTES

Paul Merson hits out at Arsenal’s ‘unacceptable’ inconsistency and describes Mikel Arteta’s team as a ‘rollercoaster’ as they go 3-0 down to West Ham after 32 MINUTES… and he admits ’45-minute football’ won’t get them back into Champions League

  • Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek gave West Ham an easy 3-0 lead 
  • Arsenal fought back in the second half to secure a battling 3-3 draw and a point 
  • Paul Merson reckons Gunners need to sort out their consistency of performance 

Paul Merson has criticised Arsenal‘s inconsistency after a torrid first half-hour saw them concede three goals against West Ham on Sunday.

Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek profited from diabolical defending to give the hosts a 3-0 lead after 32 minutes, before Arsenal fought back to draw 3-3 via own goals from Soucek and Craig Dawson, and an Alexandre Lacazette header.

Mikel Arteta‘s side played with much more vigour and intensity after the break, which Merson felt they should have done from the first whistle.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left frustrated after his side went 3-0 down inside 32 minutes

Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek profited from diabolical Arsenal defending

Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek profited from diabolical Arsenal defending

The Gunners totally switched off before a quick free-kick, leading to Bowen's near post goal

The Gunners totally switched off before a quick free-kick, leading to Bowen’s near post goal

And the former Gunners midfielder says playing in the Champions League is a pipe dream if they cannot maintain their performances consistently. 

He said after the match: ‘That was Arsenal’s season in 90 minutes. One minute they’re poor, one minute they’re good. 

‘They’re so inconsistent. It’s like a rollercoaster, Arteta’s got to sort that out if they want to be successful next season. 

Arteta's side fought back via two own goals and an equaliser from Alexandre Lacazette (No 9)

Arteta’s side fought back via two own goals and an equaliser from Alexandre Lacazette (No 9)

But former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson reckons they need to sort out their consistency

But former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson reckons they need to sort out their consistency

‘It’s unacceptable if you’re playing for Arsenal to start like that, or if you’re playing in the Premier League. 

‘Fair play to them, they showed a lot of spirit to come back, but it’s the consistency – if they want to finish in the Champions League places they can’t play 45-minute football.’ 

The two points dropped by West Ham sees them in fifth, two points behind Chelsea in the final European spot, while Arsenal lie ninth, seven points behind David Moyes’ in-form Hammers side.