West Ham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal started much the brighter team but West Ham finished the first half better after an injury to Ben White forced a reshuffle. The start of the second half was more even with some good defending from West Ham. The longer the game remained at 0-0, the more nervous title-chasing Arsenal became.
The second half saw Declan Rice move back into midfield following his stint at right-back at the end of the first half to cover for the injured Ben White, which was when the Hammers had their best spell. After Arsenal went 1-0 up, West Ham almost drew the game in the 95th minute but Wilson’s goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul on Raya by Pablo.
West Ham v Arsenal player ratings
Hermansen: 6
Kicked the ball long early in the game. Looked to be more about rugby-style kicking into touch for territory than expecting to get anything out of the Arsenal backline. Made a point-blank save from Trossard after Mavropanos conceded a corner following poor defending by Todibo. Not a lot to do in the second half aside from picking the ball out of his own net.
Todibo: 6
Immediately into the action with a crunching tackle on Calafiori. Caught napping against the same player after 8 mins and was lucky to be rescued by Mavropanos.
Mavropanos: 8
Had to be switched on early in the game. Stopped a near-certain goal with a block on the line after 22 mins. Cleared off the line again after 68 mins following a false call for a Pablo handball.
Disasi: 6
Read the game well with two important interceptions at the start of the second half. Awful pass put the Gunners on the attack but once again Dinos was there to cover.
Wan-Bissaka: 7
Given a really tough start as Arteta’s team attacked primarily down West Ham’s right flank. Grew into the game and by the end of the first half had become one of the team’s most influential players.
Diouf: 6
Such an enigma. Didn’t have the involvement of AWB on the other side but did well against Saka. Put in a good cross for Pablo.
Soucek: 6
Battled well as you’d expect. Probably penalised too often for his physicality. Crucial intervention on 81 mins saved a certain goal. Unlucky as Trossard’s shot deflected off him and into the goal moments later to put Arsenal 1-0 up after 83 mins.
Fernandes: 8
Played an amazing long-range pass to Wan-Bissaka whose control was not good enough. Was at the heart of everything West Ham did well. Didn’t feel he got the best decisions from referee Chris Kavanagh but at times looked like the best midfielder on the pitch. Had a chance to win the game when one-on-one with Raya following good work from Pablo.
Bowen: 6
Had a daisy-cutter shot when the Gunners were temporarily down to 10 men as Ben White was injured. Linked well with Summerville after 38 mins. Managed a shot early in the second period after good work by Wan-Bissaka but unfortunately it was another tame effort. A firmer shot on 75 mins won his team a corner.
Summerville: 6
Barely involved in the opening 20 minutes as Arsenal completely dominated. Did well in a 50/50 tackle which saw Ben White substituted with injury and Declan Rice replacing him at right-back. Nice solo run and shot as West Ham improved after 30 minutes. Managed to get Gooners players booked in the second half forcing changes.
Castellanos: 6
So isolated that you had to feel sorry for him having a lonely battle against the Gunners defence. Did far more defending than attacking as Nuno looked to keep the game tight. Picked up a stupid yellow card by conceding a free-kick in a dangerous area. Stupidly continued to shout angrily at the referee making everyone concerned that he’d talk himself into a red. Right before half-time, Castellanos tested Raya with a diving header from a delicious Wan-Bissaka cross.
Substitutes
Pablo: 6
On for Castellanos in the 66th min. Set Fernandes up for a chance he should have done better with.
Wilson: 7
On for Disasi with 5 mins of normal time remaining. Had a shot blocked on the 94th min then scored from the resulting corner. Unfortunately the goal was ruled out for Pablo having his arm across David Raya’s face and then his arm. Really, Wilson couldn’t have done any more. It’s a massive shame because really, it was an error from Raya who had flapped at the ball.
I’m scratching my head with Diouf. I seem to be the only one who realises how bad he is. Yes, he has 5 assists but he has been responsible for far more goals at the other end. In reality he has been in so many good positions to cross he should have had far more assists but he rarely gets his head up to look at who is in the box (a blind cross). After relegation he will probably be signed by a midtable prem team as he’s tall and strong and modern football likes having physical players who can defend set pieces. I lost count how many times he was in a promising position with the ball and wasted it yesterday.
I was in gloom before the game thinking about the players will we lose if we get get relegated and thinking about the last time and missing out on the best years of Cole, Johnson, Carrick the next season, Defoe, Kanoute and Sinclair, Di Canio. I was thinking who are the big ones we lose – does it go furthur than Bowen? I was thinking Fernandes but then I thought he scores so few goals and who has the key chance in the game?
Relatively speaking this is a really poor, yet expensive, squad. Obviously I mainly blame Sullivan and then Moyes, Lopetegui and Potter.
To be struggling this badly looking up at clubs like Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, Palace and Fulham who have a process that works to get good managers and players in even if any previous ones are sold or lost means our club is run badly. To have the huge support, recent Euro success and to be second best to clubs not so fortunate is just bad management.
Cant speak to gutted We were robbed by an incorrect decision
Im done with football….
F*****g corrupt
Hard luck boys
The decision on the var was a crime,var needs to be looked at. There were 3 fouls on our players where penalties should have been given before the decision on the goalkeeper foul, which I think was very dubious.I think decisions are out to get us, nothing is going our way, I think they are very dubious.luck always goes to the top teams, would like to have known the outcome if it was for Arsenal to have had the var on that.
Fernandes should have scored, which was the big disappointment, that could cost us.
2games to go must win both to stand any chance
Can’t knock the effort, on another day we would have come away with a draw
Keep the fight up and who knows we might get some luck come out way