please log in to view this image Venue: London Stadium Date: Saturday 30th November 2024 KO time: 17:30 GMT Overall Record Wins: 73 Losses: 37 Draws: 41 Last six meetings West Ham United 0-6 Arsenal Arsenal 0-2 West Ham United West Ham United 3-1 Arsenal (League Cup) West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
FT. 2-5. What a bonkers first half . It was complete domination for the first 35 minutes and the 4 goals we scored was certainly not undeserved. Then it feels like we got a bit complacent and let West Ham back in the game with 2 goals. In saying that, the free-kick from Emerson should never have been awarded. Rice clearly won the ball. And the reason why this annoys me is because Anthony Taylor had a CLEAR view of it because the challenge happened right in front of him. Yet he still gave it and they scored . Very annoying, but also we shouldn't have taken our foot off the gas. Thankfully, Fabianski clotheslining Gabriel in the face gave us the opportunity to take the sting out of the game. Saka's penalty wasn't great, but Fabianski's hand wasn't strong enough to keep it out, and thankfully, we restored a 3-goal lead. Second half, Arteta clearly instructed the players to be a bit more sensible when recycling possession and to not overcommit in attack. We still had some good breaks and opportunities to extend the lead, but we were wasteful. Overall though, a comprehensive and (overall) comfortable win. Onto Manchester United now.
Also, quick sidetone, Paqueta is a snide little ****. He was rolling around, screaming in agony, and grabbing his ankle any time anyone got near him. That's how he 'won' the free-kick that Emerson scored and he also got a free-kick in a similar fashion just after we scored the 5th, when Jorginho hadn't even fouled him. Anthony Taylor fell for it several times. Aside from that, I thought he was very mediocre. It's no wonder he hasn't gotten a move to a top club yet.
Oh, also a special shoutout to Jorginho - thought he was superb again today. With two first-choice midfielders missing, he stepped up. Helped us sustain possession, set the tempo of the game, made a few crucial interceptions to stop West Ham from transitioning against us and was so intelligent with how he used the ball. Such a smart player. I'd be more than happy to keep him at the club for another year.
He's a very valuable member of this Arsenal squad I'd like to see him stay on and become part of the coaching team at some point too.
Good win really, bit annoying to have conceded those two goals (thought Raya should have saved the first one). Odegaard and Saka superb as usual. Saka now has 11 assists this Season.
