Supporting Arsenal is never easy is it? The Gunners have shown fantastic progress this season, not only all but confirming a top four place with seven games to go, but have shown themselves to be a legitimate title contender throughout the campaign. Despite that, the old frailties still are there from the last campaign where Arsenal threw away a spot in the top four as Mikel Arteta’s team threw away a two-goal lead for the second successive week as West Ham came back to earn a point on a disappointing afternoon for Arsenal at the London Stadium.
Just like they did at Anfield, Arsenal made a rapid and impressive start to the contest. With only six minutes gone, some intricate play on the edge of the West Ham box ended up with the ball being thread through to Ben White from Martin Odegaard, the defender slid a perfect ball across the penalty area and left Gabriel Jesus with a tap-in to compete a great move and give his side the perfect start. And that start would get even better only three minutes later as Gabriel Martinelli’s deep cross was met by captain Martin Odegaard who volleyed past a helpless Fabianski to double Arsenal’s lead.
However, Arsenal didn’t learn from their trip to Liverpool the previous week as whilst seemingly in total control, Arsenal shot themselves in the foot when Rice caught Thomas Partey in possession and Gabriel brought down Paqueta in the box to concede a penalty. There were suggestions of both offside and a dive from the West Ham midfielder however the decision wasn’t changed and West Ham pulled one back from the spot. The home side continued the pressure until the end of the first half but Arsenal held firm.
The second half continued as the first ended with Arsenal under pressure from The Hammers. Despite that though, it looked like they would restore their two goal advantage when a penalty was awarded following a handball in the West Ham penalty area from Antonio. However, Bukayo Saka hit his spotkick high and wide of the West Ham goal, and only two minute later, the home side would capitalise on the Arsenal youngster’s error as the Arsenal backline failed to deal with a lofted ball into their box and Jarrod Bowen snuck in and volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale to tie the contest. Arsenal and struggled to properly pose a threat to the West Ham goalkeeper and this continued until the end of the game. Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed a strong percentage of the possession throughout the game but did little with it ahead of the thirty minute mark. The Arsenal manager tried to force a winner with his substitutions and despite Leandro Trossard making a positive impression, the Belgian couldn’t find a late spark of magic for Arsenal and the game finished with the points shared and Arsenal facing a strong battle in the final seven games of the season if they are to beat City to the Premier League title.
They go to the Etihad in a titanic clash on the 26th of April, however before then it’s a home tie against bottom-placed Southampton as Arsenal look to get back to winning ways.
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 6 – Heroic last week, not as much to do this time out
Ben White: 7 – Got a good assist in the first half and was solid
Rob Holding: 4 – A poor afternoon for Holding. Struggled with Antonio’s physicallity
Gabriel: 6 – Similar to Holding, the West Ham forwards caused problems for the Brazilian
Kieran TIerney: 7 – Came in for the injured Zinchenko and looked comfortable on the ball and was solid defensively
Thomas Partey: 4 – Probably the Ghanian’s worst performance this season. Lost the ball for the first goal and struggled after that
Granit Xhaka: 5 – Couldn’t impose himself properly on the game
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Solid performance. Got another goal and looked the most likely to find a way through for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka: 4 – Like Partey, this was arguably the winger’s worst performance of the season. Was quiet throughout the game and missed aa crucial penalty. An afternoon to forget for Saka
Gabriel Jesus: 7 – Arsenal’s best player. Got another goal and ran the show in the first half. Went quiet in the second period but it’s so good to have him back
Gabriel Martinelli: 6 – Started well, got a good assist for the second goal but eventually – like a lot of his teammates – went quiet as the game went on