West Ham had plenty of brilliant performers in yesterday’s defeat of Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Gunners.
In fact, the result has caused something of a stir, with many pundits surprised that Arsenal could lose to West Ham in such a crucial Premier League clash. So many had been caught up in the narrative that the little old Hammers were on a downward spiral that they forgotten quite how good we are at raining on parades.
There were multiple stand-out performers in a Hammers team that had manager Graham Potter blurting out the usual well-worn clichés of ‘team ethic’ and ‘collective spirit’. Ordinarily, I pay little attention to footballing platitudes and post-match PR waffle, but Potter had a point… the Irons’ win was every inch a team performance.
A performance most beastly
For Arsenal to lose to West Ham, it was always going to require graft, grit, and fight, and nobody embodied that more than Mohammed Kudus.
If we’re honest, the Ghanaian winger has been slightly pants this season and has looked the shadow of a player who once carried a £150m price tag.
But to see him against Arteta’s team at the Emirates yesterday was to witness a full-on ‘beast mode’ performance reminiscent of the original beastly bloke – Michail Antonio.
Kudus spent the entire game shielding the ball and sticking his shoulders and elbows into parts of the opposition where the sun don’t shine. His hold-up play allowed his knackered defenders and midfielders the chance of a breather and killed some time whilst he awaited support.
Arsenal just could not handle Kudus, and when the time came for Evan Ferguson to be introduced, it was Bowen who was hooked. It was a tough call by Potter but the correct one because the Gooners were struggling, and the Hammers’ ‘Starboy’ was their nemesis.
More of the same, please, Mo… it’s good to have you back
Been saying for ages that he could be Antonio successor, just needs a run of games in that position. Don’t think I’m alone in that thinking, it’s pretty obvious he has the attributes!
When we play as a team, all our players look terrific. When we are positioned correctly and have an understanding of everyone’s role in the tactics, we look terrific.
Against Arsenal it wasn’t just Kudus. Everybody knew what they were doing and were trying to make it happen.
James Ward Prowse and Aaron Cresswell to name but two competent stars who have been written off so many times.
All of our players will flourish when asked to play in our current set up. At last we know what we are doing. Player values will rocket but, most importantly, everyone will enjoy their work and Bubbles will be flying high.
Arsenal 1 off top place and in the Champions leaague, West Ham 2 off relegation. Nothing to crow about. Keep that in mind lads
Don’t worry about us Billy,West Ham fans are quite grounded and also keep in mind no one remembers who came second.
How many points are you behind Liverpool? No-one remembers who came 2nd again.
Kudus’ hold up play is brilliant. Unfortunately, what is not brilliant is what he does with the ball after gaining possession.
He reminds too much of Benrahma- taking on too much responsibility, selfish with the ball and, ultimately, wasting otherwise good goal-scoring opportunities.
He is not a TEAM player.
If we could sell him for a profit, I would.
COYI!
I would tend to agree with you, watching him run into a congested central pathway to goal was so frustrating, when clearly the space was on his right foot which was a direct route on goal.
What I like about Kudus is the unpredictability which sets him apart from many players as the opposition are never sure what he will do next.!
More of the same from all , they need to keep working hard . Good to see us play as a team , let’s get another win Thursday. Can’t roll up and think we’ve won it it will take graft . Well played lads COYI ⚒