Arsenal 0 West Ham 2
Mikel Arteta’s side had the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table with victory in this London derby. West Ham were the visitors to The Emirates, with manager David Moyes having never won an away game against Arsenal in his career as a football manager.
His tactics were brilliant as the hosts struggled to break down his dogged side. Then on the counter- attack, Emerson whipped in a cross that was just too far in front of Bowen. The Gunners made a mess of clearing and Bowen kept it alive before cutting it back to Soucek to slot home.
There was a lot of conjecture as to whether Bowen had kept the ball in play but as the referee had given the goal, it was for VAR to find categoric proof that the ball had gone out. As they were unable to do so from all the different angles, the goal stood, much to the delight of the travelling fans.
Soucek’s goal silenced The Emirates and at this point, they thought it was just a matter of time before their team took control of the game. West Ham lost Paqueta to injury early on as he seemed to feel something in his knee in the warm-up.
Credit: @WestHam
Arsenal had all the possession but were finding it hard to penetrate The Hammers. Gabriel Jesus clipped a little ball into the box, which was met by the head of Saka. Areola made a brilliant reaction save to tip his effort over the crossbar.
As Odegaard did well to spot, and find, the run of Saka into the box the winger got a right-footed shot away. It came thundering back off the post to Trossard, but he could not adjust his feet quickly enough as the ball went harmlessly behind for a goal kick.
Ten minutes into the second half came the ultimate sucker punch to knock the wind out of The Gunners. Ward Prowse whipped a corner in, to find the head of Mavropanos, who flicked his effort in off the underside of the bar.
The ex-Arsenal defender did not celebrate the goal but the West Ham fans in the away end did it all for him. You felt David Moyes’ side needed the cushion of the two goal lead with Arsenal probing and knocking on the door constantly.
Odegaard was causing problems and he played a brilliantly deft touch through the defence to find the run of White. He lifted a cross to the back post but Jesus headed it over when he really should be scoring. There was Arsenal’s problems in a nutshell, he is just not clinical in front of goal.
If you watch replays of the Brazilian heading the ball, he seems to close his eyes as he makes contact with it. This answers a lot of questions about why the ex-Man City striker does not have a better goal return considering the chances created for him.
Credit: @WestHam
Odegaard then created an opening for Trossard from a tight angle but Areola saved well with his feet to deny him. The West Ham keeper was having a solid game and frustrated the hosts from start to finish with his performance.
In added time Declan Rice brought down Emerson for what is known in footballing terms as a stonewall penalty. The referee pointed to the spot and Benrahma picked up the ball. Raya saved his spot kick but it was all irrelevant by this stage as David Moyes’ side picked up an important and impressive victory.
They moved up to sixth in the table, with their return of 33 points at the halfway stage of the season being their highest ever in the Premier League. Arsenal had to settle for second spot in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
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