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Premier League
Aug 16, 2015 at 1.30pm UK
 
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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City4400113812
2Arsenal431061510
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle431063310
4Liverpool43017169
5Aston Villa43017619
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton42206248
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest42204228
8Chelsea42118537
9Brentford42026606
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd42025506
11Bournemouth41215505
12Fulham41214405
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs41126424
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham411256-14
15Leicester CityLeicester402257-22
16Crystal Palace402247-32
17Ipswich TownIpswich402227-52
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves4013411-71
19Southampton400418-70
20Everton4004413-90


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