It’s been some time for the reason that Premier League yielded such a one-sided contest because the one the place West Ham suffered a horrific thrashing by the hands of Arsenal on the London Stadium on Sunday. It was, alternatively, a wonderful afternoon for the Gunners, with William Saliba (32′), Bukayo Saka (41′ penalty, 63′), Gabriel Magalhaes (44′), Leandro Trossard (45+2′), and Declan Rice (65′) all discovering the again of Alphonse Areola’s internet.
Not a contest
There’s actually not quite a bit to say after a sport like this. In brief, Arsenal have been wonderful, West Ham woeful, and the shattering scoreline doesn’t exaggerate in describing the way in which the guests dominated the competition, from begin to end. In reality, this match might hardly be referred to as a contest in any respect.
Arsenal stored possession with ease, controlling all the pieces with sensible passing and motion, in addition to excessive urgent and talent to win the ball in a short time. The truth that the ball was at their toes for 71% of the time speaks for itself, identical to their complete of 25 photographs, 12 heading in the right direction, to not point out the six objectives. And it might’ve been extra – other than scoring twice, Saka wasted a few massive probabilities too, as he admitted himself after the sport.
As for West Ham, it was arguably one of many worst performances by any crew within the Premier League this season. Their gamers appeared utterly disadvantaged of motivation and concepts, with no construction to their sport by any means. As a lot as Arsenal have been good, there is no such thing as a excuse for the way in which the Hammers performed this sport, and supervisor David Moyes will certainly need to revise the entire strategy, each his by way of techniques and technique, and that of his gamers, who regarded like something however skilled footballers on the day.
Mohamed Kudus, arguably some of the proficient kids within the league, epitomized the entire sport for his crew. He barely touched the ball. Arsenal performed round him like he wasn’t there. He by no means sought to get entangled, and the one second he stood out was within the 76th minute, when he acquired a yellow card for mowing down Gabriel Martinelli from behind as an indication of complete frustration.
The one man who appeared to be making an attempt to do one thing for the house aspect was Jarrod Bowen, however he was utterly alone in his efforts more often than not.
Many of the dwelling supporters left the stadium earlier than halftime.
In the meantime, Arsenal painted a very reverse image. Their centre-backs have been on prime of all the pieces that went on of their areas, and even acquired on the scoresheet every. Upon his return to the London Stadium, former West Ham hero Declan Rice gained all the pieces there was to win in the midst of the park, highlighting a fantastic distinction in high quality between him and the person the Hammers signed as his substitute, Edson Alvarez. Martin Odegaard was significantly impressed, all the time on the ball, exhibiting nice trickery and holding his opponents guessing (wrongly) on a regular basis. The entrance three, which at first look appeared like a make-shift resolution with Trossard because the central attacker, was truly extraordinarily fluid, with frequent adjustments of place and unimaginable dynamics.
All in all, Mikel Arteta could have been pleased with what he noticed, not like the person he as soon as performed beneath at Everton, Moyes.
The place are West Ham going?
Talking of Moyes, after a sport like this, it appears seemingly that his destiny on the finish of the season will likely be a fantastic indicator of West Ham’s ambitions for the close to future. As soon as an essential title within the Premier League, it appears the sport has developed past his attain, and he merely isn’t able to setting his crew up in a approach that will give a high-quality opponent a correct sport anymore.
Total, the period beneath the previous Everton and Manchester United boss hasn’t been dangerous for the Hammers, removed from it. They’ve gained a European trophy and rightly belong within the higher half of the desk, whereas securing a spot within the Europa League knockout stage. There’s little question about Moyes being the person answerable for their step upwards over the past couple of seasons, however the membership have gotten to ask themselves the place they need to go from right here.
🚨⚒️ David Moyes after 0-6 defeat: “I take the duty, I decide the crew however gamers should take duty”.
“In case you’re not tackling, turning you’re again, not successful headers… these issues are a part of your job”.
“I’ll take little bit of time and see if I can repair it”. pic.twitter.com/NS8SY1kxW8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 11, 2024
In the event that they’re glad with their present place in English soccer, holding Moyes within the dugout is sensible. He’s reached the place he can attain, and must be absolutely able to staying there. But when they need to progress additional, presumably begin dreaming of competing for the highest 4 within the subsequent couple of years, then it’s most likely time for a brand new title, a coach with a extra fashionable strategy to the sport, somebody, for instance, like Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.
Arsenal’s title credentials
Mikel Arteta, in fact, would have been a very good shout too, if it have been solely potential for a membership like West Ham to even dream about it at this level. The Spaniard has been doing a unbelievable job at Arsenal, getting his crew into the title race for the second time operating, and their type in the mean time absolutely displays his tactical concepts, in addition to his man-management abilities.
Arsenal have gained their opening 4 league video games of a calendar yr for the primary time since 1935:
◉ 5-0 vs. Crystal Palace◉ 1-2 vs. Nottingham Forest◉ 3-1 vs. Liverpool◉ 0-6 vs. West Ham
The winter break did them the world of fine. 👀 pic.twitter.com/fIqR0ESVol
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 11, 2024
Beating Liverpool, in fact, was certainly the most important assertion of all of them, a correct scalp for them to take and stake their declare to the Premier League title.
For the time being, Arsenal are third, sharing the tally of 52 factors with second-place Manchester Metropolis who not solely have a barely higher goal-difference, but in addition a sport in hand. It’s nonetheless two factors wanting leaders Liverpool, who, regardless of their 3-1 win over Burnley on Saturday, nonetheless don’t look very convincing on the pitch after getting totally overwhelmed on the Emirates the earlier week.
In contrast to for West Ham, the query of how excessive this Arsenal crew, beneath the command of their present boss, might go stays absolutely open. Have they acquired what it takes to take the crown from Manchester Metropolis, Arteta’s former employers? Or will they crumble on the finish like final season?
Let’s wait and see.