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Premier League
Aug 16, 2015 at 1.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

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Ward (28')
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Giroud (16'), Delaney (55' og.)

Charlie Nicholas: 'Arsenal have to improve defensively to win the title'

Charlie Nicholas believes that Arsenal were over-confident heading into the Premier League opener against West Ham United, resulting in their 2-0 defeat.

Charlie Nicholas has warned Arsenal that they have to improve defensively if they are to be considered realistic challengers for the Premier League title.

The Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat in their season opener as keeper Petr Cech committed two errors to allow Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate fire Slaven Bilic's men to victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Nicholas believes that Arsene Wenger's men were over confident heading into the season, but feels that the shock of the loss will jolt the club into action.

He told Sky Sports News: "They we're too cocky and paid the price. I'll take nothing away from West Ham who were excellent but it has been an Achilles heel of theirs for a long time.

"It was one heck of a reminder to say that you can have all the good ingredients going forward but if you don't sort your defence out you won't win anything.

"It was an eye opener, a wake-up call, but I'm glad, if anything, it happened on the first weekend of the season rather than well into the season."

Arsenal play Crystal Palace in their next match at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

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Olivier Giroud of Arsenal looks dejected after defeat during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015
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2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
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13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
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16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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