Marko Arnautovic says West Ham United have to take the positives from Sunday’s Premier League London derby at Arsenal despite losing 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Austrian striker equalised with a superb left-footed strike arrowed into the bottom corner during the second half after Nacho Monreal had given Arsenal the lead six minutes into the second period with a volley.
But a devastating final ten minute-spell left the Hammers empty handed, as Alexandre Lacazette struck twice after Aaron Ramsey’s cross which floated into the far corner had given the hosts the lead for a second time.
Arnautovic – whose goal tally for the campaign reached double figures with his latest strike – expressed his disappointment at the final whistle but looked at what David Moyes’ side can take from the performance.
He said: “There is big disappointment for us, of course – and we have to keep going for the season – but we could have drawn this game, and in the end there were mistakes. We know we should clear the second goal.
“I think every player makes a mistake though, and Declan [Rice] is still young and we have to come back from this.
“And we must talk about this game in training and manage it together. We can take many positives from the game until 80 minutes but then it was disappointing.”
We can take many positives from the game until 80 minutes. We must talk about this game in training and manage it together
Marko Arnautovic
The visitors began the north London clash in impressive fashion, creating a number of chances and almost went in front twice when Arnautovic was set clear. Shkodran Mustafi was there to deny him at the final hurdle once, before David Ospina in goal palmed an effort away moments later.
Cheikhou Kouyate also hit the crossbar with a header, while Joao Mario tested the Colombian between the sticks.
After Monreal had fired the Gunners in front, Arnautovic hit back with a deadly strike, arrowing the ball past the stopper to level the scores and send the fans into raptures and the Austrian praised the way his side played, at times, in the derby.
“Until the 80 minutes [mark], we played some very good stuff and had good chances. In the last ten minutes, we just went over and sometimes this happens against the top teams.
“Against them, we know they go to the end but as I said the second goal was an individual mistake and after that, we needed to stay organised.
“We couldn’t do that and we conceded two more goals and it got away from us.
“Every point is important, so it would have been a good point today. We know we are still in there, but I can’t find any words after losing it at the end [today].”