Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blasted his players following their 2-0 loss to West Ham United on Sunday, according to reports from the Daily Star.

The Gunners have been tipped to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title this season but goals from West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate gave Arsenal the worst possible start to the campaign.

And although new signing Petr Cech from Chelsea was partly at fault for both goals, Wenger has refused to blame the Czech Republic international, pointing out that the whole team was disappointing.

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Wenger said: “We killed ourselves. I think our performance was not convincing. On the two aspects of our game, going forward and defending.

“Overall we were punished. On top of that, I feel we gave two very cheap goals away and they were at the wrong moments – just before and after half-time.

“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. West Ham looked a bit sharper than us, more advanced in preparation than us.

“In the end we wanted it, but it was not convincing, not agile, not quick. Our passing was too slow and in the end we were punished.

“I felt we were a bit nervous and we rushed our game a bit. We didn’t always respect the basics.

“We wanted to be too quick going forward in the first half. I don’t think we were too confident, I would rather say too nervous maybe.”

Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer market, but they have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to reinforce their attack.

The London club are also reportedly tracking Germany duo Julian Draxler and Mario Gotze, and will hope to complete any deals before the end of the transfer window.

The Gunners play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their next league fixture.

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