Plucky Hammers in deserved draw against Arsenal

By Simon Leyland

Wow , what a game !

Our so-called hapless Hammers came back from two goals down to earn a valuable point against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Hammers were supposed to be pushovers against the title hunting Arsenal, and it looked bleak as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard inside the first ten minutes had us under pressure at the London Stadium..

But we picked ourselves up with not previously seen vigour and resolve this season to land a blow to the Goonners’ title hopes and boost our battle against relegation.

I was somewhat surprised to see Saïd Benrahama as the choice to take the penalty, but happily no problem as he converted an ice cool penalty with 33 minutes on the clock which the stadium erupted as the West ham faithful shouted the stadium down.

After a slightly dodgy penalty decision after 52 minutes, Bukayo Saka had a chance to make it 3-1, he missed his spot kick, Two minutes later, his error was punished as the Hammers dragged themselves level. The tireless  Vladimír Coufal’s searching long throw was cleared, but only as far as Thilo Kehrer, who lofted the ball back into the box.

Bowen timed his run to perfection as he broke the defensive line to hammer a volley beyond Ramsdale and lift the roof off London Stadium.

Still West Ham pressed, though, and Antonio was so close to a late winner when he headed Benrahma’s cross against the outside of the post from a tight angle.

In the end a point is a point, particularly against a potential Premier League winning side such as Arsenal.

Dare I say it, we may be safe.