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Lopetegui: Very tough to watch

Following an unexpected, albeit valiant 2-0 victory at Newcastle United five days earlier, a degree of optimism had returned ahead this clash with the sharp-shooting Gunners.

But East End expectations were quickly quelled by Gabriel, who soon set Mikel Arteta’s aces on the way to their 5-2 win following a well-rehearsed physical drill that looked more suited to American Football than our English game.

“It is not easy to stay up there in the seats but I had to accept my situation,” grimaced the Hammers head coach, who had been forced to serve a one-match, touchline ban after collecting three yellow cards.

“It was very tough for me and, although we were playing one of the best teams in the country, we are very frustrated because we were at home and know that we can do much better than we did today.

“All coaches prepare their set-pieces with blocks but Lucas Paquetá was fouled by Jurriën Timber for that first goal,” insisted Lopetegui, whose afternoon then continued on a downward trajectory with Crysencio Summerville having an equalising effort ruled out for offside before Leandro Trossard doubled the lead as the half-hour mark approached.

Paquetá’s lazy lunge on Bukayo Saka enabled Martin Ødegaard to convert from the spot before Maximilian Kilman’s slip allowed Kai Havertz to bag Arsenal’s fourth goal with just 34 minutes on the clock.

“The players have to understand their roles and we had to do much better with the goals that we gave away,” continued the Spaniard who then saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson reduce the deficit with two strikes in as many minutes before Łukasz Fabiański’s attempted punch caught Gabriel instead and Saka duly dispatched the subsequent spot-kick in first-half stoppage-time.

“Łukasz was very unlucky with that decision and I didn’t think that it was a penalty. After getting those two goals back we had some energy but Arsenal’s fifth then killed the match,” added Lopetegui.

With seven goals being scored inside the opening period for only the fourth time in Premier League history, Lopetegui said: “It was a very strange first half – we didn’t deserve our two goals and they didn’t deserve their five either.

"We showed some character in the second half – we had two or three chances and, with a third goal, we might even have got closer to Arsenal.

“Now, we must look forward to our game at Leicester City,” concluded the Hammers coach whose side – sitting in an unconvincing 14th spot with one third of the season now played - will remain under the microscope during what could prove to be a decisive December fixture list.

After visiting Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes in midweek, they host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, December 9 and travel to Bournemouth (December 16).

A home date with Brighton & Hove Albion (December 21) is followed by a Boxing Day date at Southampton before Liverpool come to London Stadium (December 29).

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