Arsenal’s Premier League titles hopes took a dent when they slipped to a surprise 2-0 home loss to West Ham United on Thursday as goals from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos earned the visitors the win.

But it was a story of missed opportunities for The Gunners, as Bukayo Saka hit the post and Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli missed excellent chances as Mikel Arteta’s side sit two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

“I think we created more than enough to score goals to win the game and it was the little details and the little last pass or the finish that was missing today,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said.

“We have to learn from it and make sure we get sharper and better in front of the goals. The goals we conceded were too easy, so definitely in front of the goals, inside the boxes, that’s where the games are decided.

“We weren’t good enough today … It was the last home game of the year so we wanted to finish off in style, but today wasn’t the day and we have to look at ourselves and we have to learn and move on.”

Arsenal are next in action when they travel to Fulham on New Year’s Day.