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

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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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