The Unai Emery era is finally up and running for Arsenal Football Club, after they edged their way past London rivals West Ham United in a 3-1 victory at the Emirates. They certainly fought hard for the win and there are still going to be plenty of questions that need answering in the wake of the result, but when you analyse the game as a whole and the season ahead, the most important thing for the club was that they escaped from this game with three points on the board.
Nervy start
Both teams came into this game with a certain level of ‘desperation’ given that they began the day on zero points apiece, but when it was all said and done, it was the Gunners who managed to hold their nerve. Still, things didn’t start off all too well for the home side and it actually seemed as if they were pretty nervous, with Marko Arnautovic combining really well with Felipe Anderson before slotting the Hammers into an unlikely lead.
It didn’t last long, though, as Nacho Monreal’s effort levelled things up just five minutes later after a comedic series of deflections. Some would argue that the entire game was a bit of a joke given some of the play between both teams at the back, but even from a defensive point of view, there were a few bright sparks in a game that was otherwise dominated by what everyone knows and loves – and that’s fast, slick and efficient attacking football from two of the Premier League’s more notable sides.
Heading into half time Arsenal were pretty fortunate to be on equal terms, but as is the case with so many games these days, the first half didn’t matter one bit once the Gunners got into a rhythm. After coming on as a substitute Alexandre Lacazette clearly felt like he had a point to prove, especially with Aubameyang getting the nod to start despite him not performing up to his best standard so far this season. Still, Lacazette deserves some plaudits, with his volley deflecting in off of Diop to give Arsenal a lead that some will argue they didn’t deserve – but on the balance of play in the second half, it wasn’t that contentious.
Looking ahead
Danny Welbeck sealed the victory in injury time courtesy of some nice work from Hector Bellerin, with Arsenal getting themselves on the board in a big way. West Ham will be disappointed given that they now have three losses from three games, but given the squad they possess and what they were able to showcase today, it feels like they shouldn’t be in all too much danger this season.
Both teams certainly still have work to do ahead of their next Premier League games, with Arsenal visiting Cardiff City next weekend whereas West Ham will play Wimbledon in the League Cup before hosting Wolves.
Match Report
Arsenal: Cech (6.5), Bellerin (7), Mustafi (6), Papastathopoulos (6), Monreal (7), Guendouzi (6.5), Xhaka (6), Mkhitaryan (6.5), Ramsey (6.5), Iwobi (6), Aubameyang (6.5), Torreira (6.5), Lacazette (6.5), Welbeck (7)
West Ham: Fabianski (6), Fredericks (6), Balbuena (6), Diop (5), Masuaku (6), Snodgrass (6), Sanchez (6), Wilshere (6.5), Antonio (6.5), Anderson (7), Arnautovic (6.5), Yarmolenko (6.5), Perez (6.5), Hernandez (6)
Referee: Graham Scott
Goals: Monreal, Diop (OG), Welbeck :: Arnautovic
Yellow Cards: Papastathopoulos, Fredericks, Diop, Wilshere
Red Cards: N/A
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