Fans harass Arteta after loss

LONDON. — Mikel Arteta was harassed by Arsenal supporters outside the Emirates Stadium following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The Gunners have now suffered defeats in both of their Premier League games so far as first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Reece James secured the win for Thomas Tuchel’s side on Sunday.

In their first game of the season at the Emirates, Arsenal fans took the opportunity to voice their frustrations as they booed the players at half time as well as at the full-time whistle.

And some fans vented their anger directly at Arteta as he made his way home on Sunday evening.

As Arteta’s car was stationary, several fans mobbed the driver’s window and began urging the Spaniard manager to resign.

One supporter could be head asking: “Arteta, was that good enough? Please leave the club.”

Another man said: “Arteta, do yourself a favour. Mikel, do yourself a favour, please leave.”

And there were more Arsenal supporters calling for a change in manager following the loss.

One said: “Arsenal haven’t improved. The players haven’t improved. The results haven’t improved.

“The reasons to keep Arteta are more and more based on hope.”

And another added: “The team is a mess. Can’t score, can’t defend, can’t create. Arteta has to go.”

Arsenal’s two defeats and no goals scored mean it is the worst start in the club’s history.

Arsenal are in a “difficult and unprecedented situation” after their record-breaking poor start to the season, according to Arteta.

After 2-0 defeats by Brentford and now Chelsea, Arsenal have lost their first two league games without scoring for the first time in their history.

The squad has been hit by Covid-19 and injuries in the opening two weeks.

“I don’t think the club in their history have faced something like this,” boss Arteta told BBC Sport.

“We have to face the challenge. The league or table is not decided in August. The worst thing you can do is throw in the towel. We certainly are not going to do that.” — Metro.