David Moyes offers brutal assessment of West Ham's 'atrocious' defense against Arsenal strikes

David Moyes condemned West Ham's defending against Arsenal, calling it “atrocious”.

The Hammers endured a torrid afternoon against the Gunners in which they lost 6-0 at the hands of Mikel Arteta's side.

Four goals before half-time settled the game for Arsenal, before Declan Rice's spectacular goal against his former club confirmed West Ham's misery.

While the Hammers are still in the Premier League's top eight, Moyes did not hold back after the match when analyzing his team's defence.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Moyes said: “We've been sixth for a while recently, but the competition is really tough.

“Isn't it great that in the last few years we've had a year where we finished sixth, a year where we finished seventh? Last year wasn't so good, but we were sixth again.

“It's proven there is a level of consistency, but I don't remember many of my West Ham teams playing as badly defensively as we did today.”

Asked if it was the nature of his defense that disappointed him most, Moyes said: “Yes. All of those things were atrocious from our point of view and there just wasn't enough fight or commitment in some of the actions.

“We needed to be stronger on set pieces and not turn our backs on him when he is about to shoot; All of those actions are the kind of things you're brought up with as a young player.

“Today we did not perform well in those opportunities in which we should have defended much better.”

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When asked if the players are suffering as much as the fans, he added: “Yes. I think they know it.

“We probably have as good a team as we've had here, but all the other teams we've had would never let themselves be beaten like they were today, so everyone has to get up, including the staff, we have to do it too and prepare to what is coming.”