Arsenal outclassed the Hammers on Boxing Day to record a comfortable 3-1 win and retain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Irons came into the game on the back of three successive defeats, and a fourth was chalked up at the Emirates.
Said Benrahma had opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Jarrod Bowen was fouled in the penalty area by William Saliba.
The Irons played well in the first half, defending brilliantly, and making inroads in the final third, but it was like a different side appeared for the second half.
The first major talking point of the second half appeared to be a penalty decision, as Aaron Cresswell was adjudged to have blocked a Martin Odegaard shot with his hand, but VAR overturned it.
There was to be no reprieve in the 52nd minute, though, when Bukayo Saka got on the end of a Martin Odegaard shot and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Replays showed that Vlad Coufal was far too deep and played Saka onside.
Just six minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli added a second for the Gunners. He was played in by Granit Xhaka and shot from an acute angle, with the ball slipping just by Lukasz Fabianski’s boot. Once again, Coufal was beaten in the build-up.
And the final nail in the coffin was hammered in on 68 minutes. Odegaard, so brilliant throughout the game, once again picked the lock with a superb pass, and Eddie Nketiah rolled Thilo Kehrer before finishing coolly.
A dispiriting performance. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Don’t know what game you were watching benrama scored the penalty and coufal played quite well
Kehrer – why ? I know we are short of defenders, but we are even shorter when he is playing ! Pretty hopeless. We lost to a better team, but could have got something if we had been more resilient in the second half, but no complaints – at least about Arsenal – from me. They deserved it. Of the rest of the players, Dawson put in a very good performance & Antonio tried very hard. Benrhama put in some nice touches, Coufal was poor, Paqueta has class but flattered to deceive – as usual – Soucek was poor & Fabianski disappointing – time for Areola. Bowen faded out of the game & Cresswell poor. Rice did well overall but lost the ball too many times. He definitely won’t be staying. He is the one player in the side with genuine class; if I was him I would go in January. And, if he does, that might save our Premiership status !
Kehrer playing in his 5th different position in what 5 months…. he got turned for the goal that would have done Bergkemp proud.
Would Kehrer be starting if any of Zouma, Aguard or Ogbonna had been fit?
Probably not, so cut him some slack.
As for Cresswell, he was up against one of Englands World Cup standouts with “defensive support” from Bene…. nuff said!?
Wasn’t holding my breath for a result tonight.
Arsenal have now won all 10 home games and look favourites for the title. Best of luck to them and hope they stay ahead of the Man City Arabs!
It may be the other Arabs they need to stay ahead of?
How good is Odegaard! 🤔
All I think you can say was that West Ham kept going but were totally outclassed! 😳
Please don’t say this looks like club challenging for a top six finish sub standard passing and closing down always on the back foot,so poor
Yet again I have traveled a nigh on 390 mile round trip to watch an absolute shambles, yes Arsenal are a decent side but they are not a great side, especially missing key players, the board must take action now & get rid of this inept idiot in charge before it is too late, we can not afford to give him anymore more games in charge………..and as for Paqueta…….who the hell valued him at £50 mil…….what a waste of money & a shirt………….we are definitely in a relagation fight & how “Dinosaur Dave” can talk about champion’s league football just show’s how deluded the clown is…………..SACK THE CLOWN NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!
Oh Bella, you seem quite upset….?
I’m not sure how you define “decent, but not great” when Arse were already 4 points clear (+2 games in hand) at the top of the table.
OK. Missing a striker and a couple of squad players (Rowe, Tomiyasu)
Not forgetting they have spent £132mil. this summer following £170mil. in 21′.
You fail to mention West Ham were Missing:
Scamacca
Cornet
Lanzini
Johnson
Ogbonna
Zouma
Aguerd
West Ham missing players…………….
Scamacca -waste of money, another Haller
Cornet – Injury prone
Lanzini – had his day, never been same since injury
Johnson – Not good enough for ptem
Ogbonna – Past it now
Zouma – Another injury prone crock
Aguerd – Yet another injury prone signing
Arsenal spent £132 mil with no issues of establishing signings into the team
We waste £150 mil on signings & cannot get them established in the team………..
What does that tell you about Moyes & his archaic managerial style ?
Bella I love your straight talking style and to observe you don’t deviate or sit on the fence!!! Well done you for that travel commitment. The thing is, a couple of months ago I thought you were a tad extreme, but right now we sit in the same row!!! He’s lost the plot for sure. 👍
Got to say. I believe only Rice would get into the current Arsenal side of the players on show last night, that said, even Dec’s performance was below par, but who can blame him for that, he receives the ball in the middle of the park, looks up and there’s no one to pass too going forward, all the front players are missing, miles away from him, no one running forward wanting the ball, you could see last night several times he lifted both arms in the air as if to say give me something. Without doubt going and who can blame him. I’m sorry to say but Moyes must shoulder the blame for these abject performances of 2022, a real shame after what went before, we are going to lose Dec but Moyes must now go before it’s too late. Him and his team have destroyed the legacy they built, the latest signings are and will be his downfall, Aguard = injury prone, Paqueta = not suited to the prem, Kehrer = poor, Scammaca = another Haller, Downes = not going to be played, Emerson = defensively goes missing…money wasted, money we cannot afford to waste. Moyes out now!