Sunday, November 3, 2024

Report: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal (inc. goals)

Result: West Ham 1–2 Arsenal
Competition:
Premier League
Date:
1 May 2022
Venue:
London Stadium

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah

Subs: Leno, Cedric, Kirk, Swanson, Lokonga, Oulad M’Hand, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Lacazette



A pair of headers by centre-back duo Rob Holding and Gabriel earned Arsenal a 2-1 win over West Ham that keeps Mikel Arteta’s side in the driving seat in the race for fourth spot. 

Despite being pegged back by Jarrod Bowen’s strike just before half time, the Gunners produced a mature performance that sees us restore our two point advantage over Sp*rs going into the final four games.

Pre-game

Mikel Arteta made three changes from the side that started against Manchester United. A tight hamstring ruled out Ben White meaning Rob Holding partnered Gabriel. At right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Cedric Soares – his first start since January – and Gabriel Martinelli took over from Emile Smith Rowe. The bench included Nicolas Pepe, Alex Lacazette and an assortment of kids without any experience.

First Half

Perhaps wary of what happened the last time out at London Stadium, Arsenal started with real caution. We had plenty of the ball but we didn’t commit men forward and with West Ham showing little attacking impetus of their own, it was a very turgid first thirty minutes. 

Saka had our first attempt at goal on 15 minutes – a shot blocked at close quarters – and at the other end, Holding blocked a header with his arm that VAR ruled fine, despite contact with his arm.

The centre-back was on hand again a few moments later, making a superb block from a Lanzini shot after we’d found ourselves outnumbered at the back. Soon after, Rice had the first effort on target but Ramsdale made light work of the England international’s curler.

That seemed to spark life into the game and when Nketiak found himself in a similar position at the other end, his own curler forced Fabianski into a fine save down low to his left. From the resulting corner, Saka found Holding in the six-yard box and the defender headed home off the post for his first ever Premier League goal. (0-1)

The Hammers were quick to fight back. A manic four minutes saw Ramsdale forced into a fine stop to deny Rice’s header but the reprieve was only temporary. A minute before the break, Coufal delivered a cross into the box, it came to Bowen who had too much space and time, and his shot deflected off Gabriel’s arse and in. (1-1)

Second half

Holding continued to be at the centre of the action, denying Benrahma with another block as the Hammers came out of the blocks quickly. The next scare came six minutes later as Bowen raced to collect a long ball and appeared to be taken out by the onrushing Ramsdale outside the box. Mike Dean weighed up his options and produced a yellow card for the winger for diving. Replays showed it was the correct decision. 

Back came the Gunners. Saka cut inside and drilled low at Fabianski’s near post but the Pole got down well. For a second time, we made the resulting corner count. 

Although the initial cross was headed away to the back post, Martinelli collected the loose ball, picked out compatriot and namesake Gabriel and the defender, unmarked, headed home at the near post. (1-2)

We continued to press in search of a third as the hour mark approached. Martinelli fired over from range and Nketiah pinged an effort straight at Fabianski. On the counter attack, the striker had two further chances to put the game to bed. He stung the Pole’s palms with a first effort and then came agonisingly close with a curler that just went wide. 

West Ham had already sent on Antonio for Lanzini by this point and with 14 minutes remaining Moyes then sent on Soucek to double down on a far more physical encounter. It coincided with Tomiyasu picking up another calf problem and the Japan international was taken off to be replaced by Cedric. He looked dejected. 

Nketiah’s personal duel with Fabianski continued. This time the striker bent a low effort that the ex-Gunner did well to parry around the post. 

At every opportunity we looked to wind down the clock, taking an age over goal kicks and corners and hitting the turf for medical attention. Saka took one kick too many and was replaced by Smith Rowe with three minutes left. 

Nketiah’s own attempts to slow things down saw him booked and sparked angry exchanges with Cresswell and Rice. It was clever because the clock continued to tick down.

In the closing stage, the atmosphere on edge as the home crowd urged their players forward, we sat deep, defended the box in numbers and looked relatively comfortable. The Hammers ran out of puff, the three points were ours. A huge win. 

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Jeremy DG

Clutch 🙂

gooner

Never seen so many unforced stray passes from Arsenal and over hit 3 yard passes. I was half pissed then realised these young guns were half as nervous as I was.

Points count though

JuiceJ

100%, it was a very nervy game. Eay too chaotic for my liking.

Johnny 4 Hats

Yeah, I actually can’t remember a worse performance all season.

And I could give a mother fucking fuck!!!!

Come!!! On!!! You!!! Fucking!!! Gooners!!!

El Mintero

Worst performance? Really? I thought we played very well. Really controlled the game in a mature and deliberate manner.

Brady’s bunch

No we were shite most of the game but we got away with it and on we go.

Johnny 4 Hats

Even Arteta described the performance as “very poor”. It was bad. Amazing what a win does to totally flip the perspective.

El Mintero

Totally disagree – dealt with their pressure quite comfortably.

UzesGooner

Shocking performance, especially first half – kept giving the ball away, but result was all that mattered.

Thought Nketiah got a lot better in the second half and we should keep him on the books if he’s happy to be third choice next season.

Europa League guaranteed (apparently?) so mission accomplished, but we now want more !!! COYG !! 💥

Johnny 4 Hats

I was so confused why we were so flat. I suppose some days the ball zips and sometimes nothing comes off. But first half was just very pedestrian.

West Ham were pretty poor too though. If they weren’t distracted by Europa and played half decent, I think they roll over us.

Who cares though? Obviously saving our best performances for the remaining games.

UzesGooner

Yep, couldn’t care less. We’d have lost that a couple of seasons ago…..lovely stuff

Johnny 4 Hats

*Couldn’t

That’s as careless a typo as Nuno’s general play today.

Man Manny

I prefer this “worst performance” to the awesome performance against Man City at the Emirates.
There are no points for pretty football unless you find a way to outscore your opponent.

A Different George

I rewatched the game (I know, get a life) and we were not nearly as bad as I thought. We were the better side almost throughout (a few periods of West Ham quality, but that’s almost always true in the Prem); they never had a quality chance in the second half.

Collibosher

Since the three games we should have won but lost, we’ve found a way to win matches. That’s the important thing at this time of the season!

Qwaliteee

Elneny and Eddie have come in and made a massive difference in their respective roles.

And, let’s be honest, who would have seen that happening a month or two back….?

Not me, that’s for sure. I’m always glad to be proved wrong. 😊

GoonerJust

Not the gunners at their fluent best, so many unforced errors. But in the end, we got 3 valuable points away from home, so I wouldn’t complaint. COYG!

GoonerJust

With a little bit of luck, dare I say we can be on the 3rd position at the end of the season????
Finger crossed

Funsho Patrick

Nketiah…better than expected

Give youth a chance

To be fair, West Ham did a very good job of compressing the midfield, which made it hard to get our passing game going… Although there were far too many loose passes too

Dada

Fuck WESTHAM. HORRIBLE tiny Tits.
COYG.

Mayor McCheese

Rob’s head has been bringing its A-game for a while now.

Bleeding gums murphy

His heading is superb. We are gonna need a lot of luck as the squad is so small and there is cracks appearing everywhere. Pray the scousers do their bit next Saturday and then win the next two starting with Leeds at home and we are in the champions league. Dare to dream.

Zadok the Regular Priest

He’s just a big old wall at the moment. Not huge, just seems to have a massive surface area when it comes to blocking.

Mayor McCheese

He’s really plugged things up for us!

Brady’s bunch

Nothing like the wind in your hair…. Or someone else’s

El Mintero

Holding had a great game today.

Sank

The game of 2 centrebacks

COYG.
Next win and we are not dependent on London derby

Parlours Bane

99. Eddie Fried Rice

Cyril

What was Rice’s beef so to speak? Rice was boiling over at the end.

Mayor McCheese

Wild Rice

JBF

He was steaming

Portnoy

Steamed Rice

Paul

I think something was stewing between him and Eddie

Dada

Parboiled

Bleeding gums murphy

I think nketia stirred rice up

Mayor McCheese

Sure did. He was rinsing Rice all afternoon.

JBF

To be honest I think it was just rice pudding on a show to rile up the crowd a bit.

Mayor McCheese

It’s just unfortunate we weren’t able to see white on rice today.

Elliot

Uncle Roger would be fuming !

kaius

Nketiah told him he’d tried Rice’s wife’s jollof rice and it wasn’t any good

Henkamp

He was only too salty

Alex

Rice looked well cooked

The Arsenal

Only took 2 minutes

Mayor McCheese

My dream headline if White manages to convince Rice to join Arsenal: “Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice.”

Paul

Probably fillet with black bean sauce?

John

Rice got a bit krispie with Nketiah at the end.

Qwaliteee

They fly so high, they reach the sky, then like West Ham they go Snap, Crackle and Pop.

Qwaliteee

Not what you’d call a Special Rice.

Kyle

Apparently not Quakers Rice!

Tomaury Bischfeld

I thought Dean might yellow Rice at the end when he failed to simmer down.

Gunner0304

Fancy a Cooked Ham or Fried Rice? Or both? 😝

Ponsonby Gooner

I’m enjoying these rice comments more than the game itself. And I enjoyed the game.

Reiss Neverseen & El Dicteta

What a grind. Great stuff from Holding and Gabi.

DefaultGray

MASSIVE result. If horribly out of form Wolves could do us a favour next time and bring Chelsea right into the race that’d really open things up, Arsenal charge for 3rd place!

Qwaliteee

Oh my days.

Pip Chelsea for third and the party at Chez Qwaliteee will be a biggie…

Give youth a chance

Something I never thought I’d be saying:

Mike Dean had a decent match.

Really surprised he didn’t take the opportunity to grab the headlines by showing Ramsdale red

Skinnygooner

Just glad the linesman intervened before he pulled the red out.

Henkamp

Exactly. The assistant made that call. Heard the commentator say he is one of the most experienced in the league. Good on him.

A Different George

I’m pretty sure he was in Howard Webb’s crew, and ran the line in the World Cup final in South Africa.

lessthanthesumoftheirparts

Hope that’s the only time a lineo’s stopped him pulling something out

Gunnerlocutor

Almost as if he cares about his legacy?

Rick_Sanchez

Good fight, important win! So glad for Holding – what a lad!

JuiceJ

What counts is the three points in the bag, otherwise we just a weird game of football. We win next week we open a comfortable 5 points going into the NLD where we put the final nail in the coffin and confirm proper St Totteringham’s. COYG!

JuiceJ

*had*

Henkamp

Afraid Spurs could pull off a result at Anfield. They play better when teams attack them.

JuiceJ

Spurs rely heavily on counter attacks and quick breaks, VVD and whoever is partnering him are no slouches, they have enough pace to stop them. I see a clear win for Liverpool. We just need to focus on Leeds and definitely play better, quicker, and hopefully White is back this is no attack on Holding, he was immerse defensively but building up play was lacking, and hope Tomiyasu is good. I would even push Tomiyasu to the left since he’s 2 footed and have Cedric play right. it could maintain the defensive balance but also improve our attack. I felt… Read more »

Momozemio

AMEN
…though we know Arsenal’s life ain’t that simple, isn’t it??
In any case, counting on the fans (what a great fan performance again today !!) to make sunday’s atmosphere as hot as possible at the Emirates.
COYG!!

Jack

Nketiah was frustrating at times today but my god that was some solid gold shithousery and time wasting at the end from him. You love to see it

COYG 1001

Sometimes a little greedy with the ball, even for a striker, but tireless and increasingly good at holding up play.

kaius

His hold-up play is unrecognisable from last year and earlier this season. Biggest improvement in his game imo

Walter White

And he gets in a lot of good situations as well. We know he can finish, so it might only be a matter of time before he finally gets his breakthrough.

RockyRog58

Beginning to see a bit of what Arteta sees in Eddie ! Thought he rattled West Ham all day & his movement was superb ! Shooting less so but hey ? WE WON !!!!

El Mintero

I thought he was excellent. He’s really stepped up last 3 weeks.

djourou's nutmeg

trust me when i say i’m no nketiah fan at all, but i thought he had a very good match. he was receiving the ball in good positions and making good runs, but was always alone. despite that, he had like three shots from outside the box that were really good. in fact one of them led to a corner from which we scored.

Give youth a chance

Eddie has shown he can do it at youth level for Arsenal and England. Maybe the only thing he’s needed is a run of games.

I for one hope he signs a new contract with us, but would he be content to be 2nd or 3rd choice for us next season?

tbrwsk

could have gone either way, a good competitive game with limited quality. you could see Xhaka was knackered, but Mo took the weight (that pass!). love Holding’s shithousery, he’s maybe the only modern era defender at Arsenal that can cope with big cunt forwards (White could become the other soon). still, motm for Nketiah for me, made their entire defence busy and could have had a hat trick if he had more luck. will be sad to see him go if he goes.

Lacaubapepe

It’s doesn’t always have to be pretty. Just get it done. And the boys did!!! Massive welldone to them. COYG!!!

Neder

Big win. Nervy stuff. Nails Need to grow faster.

FMT

My heart will go on…

Teryima Adi

Amen 😃🙏🏻

Emi Rates

The all out handbags towards the end was funny.

El Mintero

Thought the lads could have jumped in a bit earlier when Eddie was getting a mouthful from both rice and cresswell…

Emi Rates

My guess is they thought Dean would step in first which he didn’t of course. He just stood there and watched. The useless lump.

Jean Ralphio

We are potentially two wins away from champions league football presuming Liverpool beat Spurs. Two finals. Leeds will not be easy and Tavares must do better against Raphinha. I hope Tomi is ok. Martinelli had a poor game I felt. We need open play goals!

COYG!! and well done Holding and Gabriel.

Roach

Poor game from Martinelli but no one is putting that cross back in for Gabriel’s goal as quickly as him- made the difference today

Jean Ralphio

Good point. He had a good second half. I was just a bit surprised with his start.

Walter White

Tavares needs the defensive quality of Martinelli it seems. Perhaps why he didn’t go for ESR sooner.

Momozemio

Absolutely, huge defensive effort from Martinelli all game long + an assist… what elle?😅

Hantal

A huge win.

Taking nothing for granted but it could be all but over by this time next weekend

Tommy Gunner

Steady yourself

Evaristus

Correction. It’s not Holding’s first ever Premier League goal

laudgunner

Nketiah, take a bow son. Man of the match. Wow

El Mintero

Plus one…he led the line brilliantly.

kaius

Arsenal centre-backs stepping up with huge goals in a tight race for 4th?

Now that is football heritage

Henkamp

Towing the Koscielny line

chepetin

Who needs strikers when you have centre backs…

Fatgooner

Not much quality but plenty of grit.

We ground out a win against a tough West Ham side. We looked a bit dodgy at times defensively in the first half but were excellent in the second period. Once we got to 2-1 we never looked like dropping points.

Nketia lively but showed why he’s not a top striker and needs to leave. He should have made it comfortable for us this evening.

We can’t take a point from 3 rubbish teams but win 9 from 3 top-six ones! Typical crazy Arsenal!!!

The NLD will be massive!!!

tbrwsk

i’d argue you’d be hard pressed to find a better rotation option, especially homegrown and still increasing in value. i’d say he’s been improving massively recently. also, if we can convince him to resign, it essentially reduces our shopping list, which is also crucial. a no brainer if he can be convicted, and that’s an if.

Fatgooner

To “resign”? That means to give up one’s job. I think you mean RE-SIGN!

He’s going anyway, and I think that’s good for the club. We can do better than him. We need a natural finisher.

Reiss Neverseen & El Dicteta

A tad harsh.

Mad Mick Madison

Cheap shot Fats.

Tommy Gunner

It wouldn’t (shouldn’t) reduce our shopping list if he re-signs. He should be no higher than 3rd choice striker for Arsenal, and arguably that could be Balogan next year anyway.

tbrwsk

imho he’s miles ahead of Balogun in terms of experience and know-how. given Arteta sees Gabi as CF, the 2nd and 3rd spot could be well between them for the next season. then, the season after, when we could potentially challenge for the league (can’t see that happening the next season), we could need a 2nd high quality CF – for now the more pressing needs are elsewhere.

Reiss Neverseen & El Dicteta

Agreed.

Der Kaiser

Great result. Leicester rested all their top players whilst West Ham picked their best available team ( not even resting Declan Rice). Let’s hope Liverpool beat Spurs. Arsenal can’t count their chickens as Everton and Leeds are playing for survival and Newcastle are a form team

P.D.

West Ham made 5 changes from Thursday night. Leicester made 8…

Walter White

Dawson was suspended and I don’t know why they played their reserve keeper in midweek. Almost their most important match in… A century?

Of course Leicester had to have all their aces on the bench.

eddymc2

They’ve played Areola in goal throughout the Europa campaign – midweek was the norm rather than an exception.

Gooney Tunes

I bloody love Rob Holding. He’s not spectacular, never gonna be compared to Van Dijk… but he’s ours and I’m glad of that.

Teryima Adi

He’s better than Cannavaro, remember?😃😜

Collibosher

West Ham and Wolves, if they win every game from now on, can get, at max, 61 points. So we’ve got European Football next season. Obviously we want it to be Champions League, and, even more importantly, to finish above the Sp*ds!

Pastor Simon

Massive 3 points in the bag 😎

Moff

North London forever!

P.D.

Great win!
Sorry, I know I will get flamed by the ‘everything is great’ brigade but I honestly cannot remember an Arsenal player putting it so many really poor performances as Tavares. The kid is just miles off Premier league level right now.

Tommy Gunner

Yup. But as you say, everyone will be all “but he’s got potential”, until we lose because of him at which point those same people will be saying he is crap. The ability of fans to allow a win to blinker them against blindingly obvious objective criticism is extraordinary. Anyone with eyes can see he is a massive liability

Goonerink

I think for the most part the fans you are so against actually understand the dynamics of our squad currently.. and as we are forced to use him due to Tierney’s injury and parteys injury and the lack of other options, we are deciding to ride the wave and actually support the guy rather than shit on his parade.

We’ve also been spoilt by players with amazing touches, his isn’t very good but he can improve, is young and is a threat going forward… He’s hardly Harry McGuire

charvakan

How soon they forgot you, Santos.

Give youth a chance

We don’t talk about Nuno

Teryima Adi

Give the lad a break.

Gunnerlocutor

Spuds were fortunate to be rewarded once again by Son cheating. But they are feeling the pressure now! Lads … it’s Tottenham.

Qwaliteee

Off to the Toilet Bowl with a five point lead.

C’mon Arsenal and Liverpool. Make it happen!!

BillyKrystal

I want to lay into Rice but tbh I wouldn’t mind him playing for us at some point. Not that far fetched.

Kyle

Quick straw poll- where does everyone see Eddie playing his football next season?

Qwaliteee

At Arsenal.

I think Mikel will persuade him that his future is with us.

But we’ll still need to sign another top drawer striker in the summer.

EmileSmithWhoa

Eddie and Arteta will be having good discussions. At his age, English, homegrown, hard work and great attitude he deserves a chance. If I were him I would say…” if you sign two strikers I will take my chances elsewhere. If you only sign one then I will sign a new contract and make you glad I did. Do you believe in me enough to only sign one?”

Tommy Gunner

Not with us, unless he accepts being 3rd or 4th choice, which he won’t – so not with us

Kyle

There will be plenty of offers now his form has picked up. I’m sure David Moyes would have noticed him today.

Qwaliteee

Boys and Girls, the plan is beginning to come together. A vital vital three points. These might be the ones we look back on as the ‘clinchers’ in what hopefully will now finally see the tide turn our way. The spuds have to go to title chasing Liverpool, whilst we need to keep a cool head at home to Leeds. As I, and others now on here have said, if results now go our way, we go to the Toilet Bowl with a five point gap. Win there – and we’ve done it. As for our ‘mates’ at Sky, I… Read more »

RockyRog58

Always been a Rob Holding fan he’s just a proper defender & dare I say it ? Better than Ben White in games like this ! Go on there Rob take a bow Son and Mo & Eddie ! By the way what a save from Ramsdale again today !!!

enior

Hard fought 3pts, but we make that same mistakes again ( concede after we score). Shame we couldn’t get third and put this game to bed. I hope Tomiyasu will be good as giving him full 90 always looks risky. 1 done…..4 more to go. COYG!!

The Arsenal

Love stiffing West Ham with a couple of set pieces. Scrappy nervous win but it caps off 3 in a row nobody expected.
Props to Nketiah has been magnificent the last 3 games. Personally i don’t rate him that highly but he is doing brilliant right now. He deserves an apology from those who question his character because he wants to leave to play regularly somewhere else.

JMD

Apart from Bowen’s deflection-assisted goal, I thought we controlled our box pretty well. Tomy prevented several entries, massive blocks from Holding and Elneny. Offensively, not sure whether the problem was that we were flat,as commentators, as much as nervousness. Not pretty but a win none the less.

Goonerink

Anyone else think that the pre assist for Bowens goal was offside??

chepetin

On the pass to Soufal? I just looked at it again and it looks like Holding is playing him on. Of course it’s hard to know if the coverage pauses the replay at the exact time the ball leaves the foot but I’d say that if that was called against us I would be fuming.

BsinGooner

Fourth place, they say. I saw the Chelsea game, and I say we have a real shot at third. This Chelsea team can drop 4 points.

Santori

We were below par. Did not play well but got away with it. Will need to up our game and play with less fear if we are to close this out. NLD will be pivotal but other games no forgone conclusion Newcastle have been resurgent Leeds gave City a tough time even if scoreline suggest otherwise Everton are fighting for survival (hopefully Leeds and/or Burnley drop points before final match) Too many wayward passes today. Not enough width. In the end the Cbacks came up with the answers. Holdings new hairline cushioned the ball perfectly to nestle into the back… Read more »

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