Arsenal continued their impressive winning streak, a much-needed boost before a challenging December fixture list, which we should ideally navigate without losing points.
West Ham started strong, with their wingers tracking back and midfielders covering every blade of grass. They looked very motivated, visually dominating every part of the pitch. At some point, it seemed like we were in for a tough evening.
Arsenal quality
But then… a couple of episodes of pure class. The Gabriel header from the corner looked so easy and so impressive at the same time. On one hand, it’s crazy that our most dangerous player was completely left alone in the box. On the other hand, the movement through the crowd to cover him was a tough challenge, and it’s no surprise that Antonio just gave up. A much more aggressive Kyle Walker was rendered helpless, so what could we expect from a West Ham striker?
In this goal, flowers go to both Gabriel and Saka – Saka for perfectly delivering the cross in a defender-free area, Gabriel for feeling where the ball would land for a perfect header. With two goals like this in one week, I can’t help but look back at our previous unsuccessful run and think how it would help us against Bournemouth, Newcastle, or Chelsea. But it is what it is! And it was so much needed today to shatter West Ham’s hopes.
The second goal was again a moment of pure individual quality. Seriously, we need a nickname for the moments when Saka and Odegaard produce pure magic. For now, I can’t come up with a catchy one, but maybe you can suggest something in the comments?
The disbelief train
That goal was delivered beautifully despite West Ham’s tight defense, and it just killed their belief completely. Riding this disbelief train, we quickly scored two more goals that appeared later to be crucial. It’s a very important quality of a top-level team to shut down the game when the opponent’s players go through this hopeless phase. As it usually happens (and exactly as it happened today), any moment of individual brilliance can bring the spark back in the losing team.
Soler found Wan-Bissaka with a brilliant cutting pass, Calafiori lost his concentration (wouldn’t anyone after a 4-0 lead?), and Wan-Bissaka scored with a brilliant first touch. That fueled West Ham and, more importantly, their crowd. Bended by crowd pressure, Taylor decided to blow for a free kick after a clean Rice challenge. And then, a perfect free-kick brought West Ham to an uncomfortable distance. Their crowd was on fire, their players started to win duels and we were just so lucky that we had Gabriel and Saka, who delivered another set piece, converted into penalty, and we were three up before the much-needed break.
Saka delivers 10 assists in 13 games
A different second half
After the half-time, we managed to cool down the game. And West Ham, when they realized they couldn’t win against us in football, they just decided to break everybody. Gabriel went out on the break; Calafiori was subbed soon after. Saka and Odegaard were subbed after a couple of nasty fouls, but luckily they didn’t look heavily injured. This was a smart move.
I am all for more gaming practice for our bench: Kiwior, Zinchenko, Sterling, Jesus, but it’s a bit concerning that we are again getting quite thin in some areas, especially after Merino and Partey’s injuries. Because of that, Timber didn’t get needed rest time, given that he will be crucial against Man United and Fulham. I was happy to see Nichols on the bench, and I thought he might get introduced instead of Jurrien case of a comfortable lead. But I guess the development of the game left us with only one teenager getting time, and it was Nwaneri.
It’s not a proper article without a paragraph about Ethan. He didn’t score or deliver an assist today, but what I’ve noticed is that he is much calmer and more confident on the pitch than experienced Premier League winners Jesus and Sterling. There’s some internal feeling that he has everything needed to make it on the highest level, and his trajectory is consistently moving upwards. This feeling is very reassuring, and the only thing I am worried about is another club making him an enticing offer with a salary 10 times more than the existing one. Hopefully, our new sporting director can manage this situation properly.
Big game on Wednesday
Next up is Man United. In our current form at home, we should take their scalp off. However, the flair of a new coach and quality of players might make it increasingly difficult. Points at the Emirates would be a very powerful statement Amorim will be looking for. However, against healthy OST (Odegaard-Saka-Timber) and a fresh, motivated Martinelli, they probably don’t have enough arguments!
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