Morning all.
Mikel Arteta and his players went into the game at the London Stadium knowing that only a win would keep the chase for top four in their own hands. Brendan Rogers had made a glut of changes to his Leicester City team in the early game and as expected, were beaten by Totts. David Moyes rested a few of his players for our game but nevertheless, his team was far from weak.
An added incentive to win the game came from Everton who’d earlier fought hard to win at Stamford Bridge, meaning that if Arsenal could beat West Ham, just three points would separate them and Chelsea in 3rd.
Neither side started particularly well and to be honest, the game itself was pretty awful to watch at times but I kind of had a feeling it would be that way. A scrappy affair which ended with a bit of a scrap but by the time the Mike Dean blew his whistle to end the game, Arsenal had got the job done.
Rob Holding, in for Ben White who was struggling with a tight hamstring, was superb alongside Gabriel. Ok, he might not have finesse on the ball which White has but as far as doing the job his position requires goes, he was an absolute rock. Nuno Tavares on the other hand, looked a bag of nerves, but, when it came to needing to put his head to a ball which a West Ham player looked more likely to get his boot to, he did just that. He’s young, raw, in his first season of Premier League football and he’ll improve I’m sure. The worst thing Mikel Arteta could have done is haul him off again, but he didn’t and I’m glad. It was interesting to see how Bukayo Saka was often back helping Takehiro Tomiyasu but I don’t think Tavares had as much support.
Another player who stood out was Eddie Nketiah. Pretty quiet to begin with but he grew into the game and by the end of it, probably had Mikel Arteta wondering where Arsenal would be now had he played him more. He didn’t score, although he really should have finished the game with the match ball in his hand but no one can suggest it was through lack of trying. I loved seeing him go nose to nose with Declan Rice, I loved seeing his team-mates supporting him because it shows they care and it shows they won’t be bullied. How many times though have we seen a situation like that turn ugly and result in a red car being shown? Rice was trying to get Nketiah sent off I’m sure but our young striker let his words do the talking.
Aaron Ramsdale made one outstanding save, but went on a bit of a wild goose chase to clear the ball which lucky for him, the resulting yellow card was for Bowen and not him. Had VAR not been in place, I’m sure Dean would penalised our keeper.
Mo Elneny. Has a player of his age ever improved as much as he has? I’ve always liked him but this version is different, calmer, stronger and just better. The ball he played to Eddie was superb. To spot the move Eddie had made shows exactly how aware he is of what’s ahead of him. With European football next season looking highly likely, Arsenal need to keep him. Nketiah too.
Away from all of that, there were three goals in the game. The first from Rob Holding which came from an Arsenal corner. Bukayo Saka whipped the ball into the box and big Rob jumped high and guided his header into the bottom corner of the net. His first ever Premier League goal.
Just before half-time, West Ham equalised. The less said about Arsenal’s defending the better I think.
After the break and around the 50th minute, Arsenal scored again. Another corner, a halfhearted clearance by West Ham, a cross back into the box by Gabriel Martinelli and a thunderbolt header from Gabriel which Fabianski couldn’t stop. 2-1 and all Arsenal needed to do was hold on.
Moyes turned to his subs bench, Arsenal turned to the dark side. Any which way they could waste time, slow the game down, prevent West Ham from taking free kicks as quick as they’d liked, Arsenal players did it. Why not too, it’s only what other teams do to us.
It’s a massive win, under very difficult circumstances because we put ourselves in real problems, especially with our decision making and in ball possessions, and the spaces we were attacking, and the timing of it and the efficiency of it. But the team showed huge character, not to give up, to continue trying to do the right things. The way they fought, the way they understood how they have to manage the game in certain moments, with the way we defended, because we didn’t concede anything, it was phenomenal. In England you say ‘win ugly’, I think from my point of view today we won ugly, and I’m extremely happy to see a team that has this capacity to find a way to win and show the character that they showed today.
Winning ugly is fine, it’s the stuff good teams produce to win difficult games and regardless of West Ham struggling with injuries etc, going to the London Stadium was never going to be easy. This young team did really well to come away with all three points.
Just four games remain, twelve big points but the focus has to be on the next three. Beating Leeds next Sunday is as important as winning yesterday was, especially as Totts face Liverpool at Anfield on the Saturday. The home team are still chasing the Premier League title so there’ll be no letting up I’m sure.
After the game, Arteta said that both Tomiyasu and Saka should be fine for our next game.
See you in the comments.
Solid post, Rico – and morning all.
The part on Elneny is very true. We have seen players coming around and maturing, but I don’t remember anybody of Mo’s age to become a key figure in crucial games from a forgotten fringe player waiting for his contract to run down.
One thought on Nketiah. Albeit he had 6 shots (4 on target), that would be harsh and unfair implying that he should have scored 2 or 3. Firstly he carved out many chances on his own, but more importantly he didn’t miss any sitters. The total xG for his chances was 0.4, which rather makes him a hero – and the assistant MotM – than deserving comments like his “no goals indicates just why he won’t be at the club next season”.
Thanks Pbarany. I bet if you asked Nketiah, he’ll feel he should have scored a hat-trick. I wasn’t criticising him by the way, I like him and really want him to stay on beyond the summer.
Good morning Rico, yep our team are definitely growing up they may (mostly) be young but they are quick learners. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of dark art.
Pbarany, “the total xG for his chances was 0.4” what the f**k does that mean? No, no please don’t bother to explain, life’s too short.
Cicero I used to live in Tottenham and go to school there so it’s ingrained.
Rico you know me so well, morning all…
Morning Cicero. I’m glad you said that about XG, what a load of rubbish it is. How can ‘expected goals’ be calculated?
Morning Kev, I do. 😂
Morning all,
I guess that Lacazette’s last game will be against Everton as they will be safe, Leeds relegated, we secured 3rd place 😉 judging by Chelsea form and Raphinha on his way in as soon as the window opens with Pepe paying for him by going back to France.
Leeds are fighting for their lives, Everton are fighting for their lives, the NLD speaks for itself and the Scum at Anfield isn’t a given because Liverpool will be coming off of the back of a European tie, so every game is a cup tie, we still have so much to do.
Newcastle (a) is gonna be as tough as they come, the Magpies are a revitalised outfit with a much higher technical level than we’re used to facing up there, their fans will be as fanatical as ever so a hot atmosphere.
Eddie Howe is fighting for his job up there, he wants to stay on of course despite the obvious suggestions of a new big time foreign coach taking over in the summer.
And finally Arsenal are in the crosshairs of the Saudis, they want to replace us as a top four club, Liverpool and Man City are too far off for now but Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Man Utd are all within reach if they spend well enough to close the gap.
Therefore they’ll see the visit of Arsenal as an opportunity to damage us for next season when they’ll hope to reel us in.
I don’t understand something, what is an ugly win? All day yesterday all of the pundits were saying it was an ugly win by Arsenal. So I guess the opposite is a beautiful lost? I am not surprised by Elneny’s play, when he was at Basel he was, “beasting”. I will never forget his performances against Liverpool in Champions League and he has always been a consistent performer for Egypt. To be honest I would prefer a midfield pair of Partey and Elnery and give Xhaka some playing time as the #10. On your point about Eddie, he should’ve had had at least 2 goals. I was very impressed with his movement and “ball intelligence” yesterday. I never rated him, but I could be wrong, he’s having a good run.
I wish I had your confidence Brad. 😂
Agree Kev, not one of our remaining fixtures is ‘easy’ – I’m still hoping Totts drop points because I’m far from convinced we’ll get the job done ourselves.
I know the campaign isn’t yet over but how’s this for an idea for an end of season post, which of our matches had the greatest effect on our final league position?
Over to you Rico. 😉
Thanks Cicero. 😅
Morning Rico and all
This final run home is getting harder and harder no matter what club you are.
Watching the way Nketiah and Elneny have been playing it makes you wonder why Arteta never really gave them a chance earlier in the season when we were struggling.
Watched Chelsea ( may of be against West ham ) a couple of matches back the fans come up with a good song about Chelsea.
London bridge is falling down falling down falling down London bridge is falling down so is Chelsea.
lets hope they keep loosing and we keep winning after all dare I dream of eating my humble pie as we finish 3rd.
Stamford Bridge is falling down , falling down , falling down
Stamford bridge is falling down , poor old Chelsea
Build it up in red and white , red and white , red and white
Build it up in red and white , red and white ,
We hate Chelsea.
We used to sing that when I was a kid all those years ago,.
I am not sure that Eddie is the final answer but his energy levels combining with those of the other youngsters have made us a different proposition.and he has matured and can only get better.
It was interesting to hear Alan Smith ( who is not always totally supportive ) say that wherever he goes if he leaves will be a step down. He said that Liverpool and City were not going to come for him so Brighton or similar although he should get more playing time would not bring him the chance of European football
When asked what he would do in Eddie’s place he said stay and fight for a place in the top squad even if another striker is signed..
Geoff at 11:58 good point about Elnery and Eddie. Imho, one of Arteta’s biggest problem is squad rotation. He selects players to the team’s detriment, and has a tendency to overplay players: Aubameyang, Laca, Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe, Ben White, Tenery just to name a few, when there are reasonable alternatives and subs – Holding for an example solid when he gets a chance. Players can be rested by rotation or subbing at a reasonable time but he doesn’t do that. Saka for instance was struggling around the 60th minute mark yesterday and he kept him in.
Re-watching yesterday’s game. Imagine if prime Alex Sanchez and Odegaard were on one team. Two men pressing army – Odegaard keeps pressing.
Rico, I wasn’t referring to you criticizing Eddie. I read that quote at a player ratings post, and pissed me off. I hope he will get his revenge on Leeds, as they also deprived him of important minutes despite his superior goal statistics than Bamford’s.
Cicero, expected goals is an imperfect, yet more and more reliable (machine learning based) statistic trying to differentiate between little chances and big misses. Rob’s goal had a 0.02 xG, implying he would score once about every 50 similar occasions, while a penalty usually has a 0.76 xG. You can use it to analyse a single situation, or to aggregate it on a match, player or club level.
That kind of answers the question on the ugly win too; a 0:0 can be an exciting game with a lot of chances created and major saves and a 2:1 could be a boring game with midfield duels and bus parking.
Obi, I fully agree with your assessment on Mikel’s reluctance of rotation – and the adverse effects of that. He really lives in the OGAAT universe, which might be perfectly attractive for an average supporter, but the inability of long-term planning is quite a serious shortcoming for a PL manager.
Afternoon Geoff, I too think Mikel Arteta could have rotated more/better than he has. Perhaps then we wouldn’t have had so many injuries but we’ll never know. He may have rotated more and it all went wrong.
Pbrarany, “expected goals is an imperfect, yet more and more reliable (machine learning based) statistic”. Sounds very like an oxymoron. In reality what it all comes down to is guesswork.
Next time you come up with a bunch of gobbledegook mixed up with computer driven statistics please highlight it somehow so that I can skip it and spend the time saved watching the grass on my lawn grow.
Wrighty has said similar Potter and I think they’re both right in that he should stay at Arsenal but I would understand his concerns over playing time. AMN is the best example of being promised playing time but not getting it.
Talking of unnecessary injuries, giving Tomiyasu 60 minutes yesterday was a prime example. He looked exhausted by half-time and should not have started the match. Now I suspect his season is over.
Obi, what a dream pairing..
Pbarany, it’s always best to mention that. Saves me getting the hump. Lol
Cicero, xG is the in thing these days, along with other silly terminologies. It’s all poppycock though..
Apparently he’s fine Cicero, just cramp.
OBI you mention Sanchez and Odegaard I would also possible add Giroud to cover the heading department from corner set piece
Hi Rico.. Nice read 👍 Omg how nail-biting was that?! You’d have thought we’d played on Thursday! Oh well, got the job done.. I admit I was pacing in my living room and couldn’t watch the last 10 minutes 🙈
I had a butchers on a West Ham blog after.. nasty comments about Saka ‘being a cheat’ and how they’re glad he missed his penalty for England (yawn) as well as ‘can’t believe we lost to such a poor Arsenal’ blah blah blah…
Next weekend will be very interesting, can’t believe I’ll actually be cheering on those bleedin’ scousers 🤣
I’ve just finished Ozark – what did you think?
Hi Sue, thanks. Can’t believe the Hammers think Saka is a cheat. They ought to take a look at Cresswell and Noble. Certainly was nail biting stuff but not necessarily in a good way.
I’ve watched Ozark too, I thought the ending was a bit tame.
And Bowen, Rico! Sore losers, hey?
I was gutted about Ruth; but it was inevitable once she pulled that trigger. Couldn’t believe Wendy survived, god I hated that woman. I quite liked the ending 😄 It was an excellent season – what the hell are we going to watch now?!!!
Ah yes, and Kouma Sue.
Ditto re Ruth, she was brilliant in it, Marty too but like you, I detested Wendy. I was hoping a stray bullet might go her was. Nice to see Jon Boy. 😆
Brentford 1-0 down.
I was hoping the bullet would ricochet off the goat cookie jar and hit her 🤣
Yeah he was good in it!
Ha ha, yep…
Yeah, Ozark was great but I agree Rico the ending left me a bit underwhelmed.
Sue try ‘Better Call Saul’…
Cheers, Kev – will do!
Morning all
New post up