Mikel Arteta 'certain' Arsenal can handle title pressure despite West Ham setback

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his players can cope with the pressure of the Premier League title race despite a damaging draw against West Ham United on Sunday.

For a second successive week, the Gunners squander a two-goal lead in a game they were dominating, and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against West Ham at the London Stadium.

The leaders raced two goals in front inside the opening 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, but, just as they had against Liverpool last weekend, they faltered badly.

Said Benrahma’s penalty and Jarrod Bowen’s volley, either side of a missed spot-kick by Bukayo Saka, rescued a surprise point for the hosts and put another dent in Arsenal’s bid for a first league title since 2004.

"I'm certain it is not the pressure," Arteta said. "It is we misunderstood what was needed in that moment.

"It was very different to Liverpool in terms of the pattern of play. But that is the next stage, you have to play with the same purpose when it is 2-0.

"You have to have more composure to finish the game. When you drop your level so quickly the game is there for the opponent."

Although Arsenal are four points clear of second placed Manchester City, it is the champions who have all the momentum heading into the final weeks of a gripping title battle.

With a home game against Arsenal looming on April 26, City know they will be crowned champions if they win their last eight games.

Ominously for Arsenal, Pep Guardiola's men have already beaten them twice this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the league in February, just weeks after knocking the Gunners out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory in Manchester.

Before the summit meeting with City, Arsenal host Southampton on