Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: Zubimendi shines as Rice and Saka send Gunners top

Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video

Arsenal go into the Interlull prime of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over West Ham at residence yesterday. Very similar to the win over Olympiacos in midweek, it felt routine, virtually an inevitability which, whereas not essentially thrilling, does show the power of this workforce.

I used to be excited when the beginning XI dropped with each Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in it. It was the primary time the 2 had began a sport collectively, and I feel I used to be nonetheless attempting to work out how precisely it was functioning when it floor to an early halt. Earlier than that, the captain had performed an amazing cross to Jurrien Timber who noticed his shot saved within the field, whereas Eze could have had a stressed night time replaying a detailed vary likelihood he ought to have scored however in some way put over the bar.

However on 20 minutes Odegaard’s damage curse continued. He clashed knees with a West Ham performed, required therapy, obtained therapy, instantly went down within the subsequent section of play, and may most likely have come off there after which. I do know there’s participant steerage on the subject of choices like this, he was clearly determined to remain on however even on TV you can see his race was run, and on the half hour mark he was changed by Martin Zubimendi.

He set an unlucky file yesterday, the primary participant to ever be subbed off earlier than half-time in three consecutive residence appearances. It’s so unlucky for him, not least as a result of he produced an distinctive midweek efficiency within the Champions League. Arteta stated afterwards his knee was in a brace and it didn’t look constructive, so let’s simply maintain every part crossed that no matter has occurred is extra painful than damaging.

In earlier video games, when Odegaard went off Arteta turned to Ethan Nwaneri, however this time it was Zubimendi, and I feel he obtained it completely proper. The Spanish worldwide was distinctive for my part. We noticed him deliver management, passing vary, and defensive prowess too. He’s a quick tackler, solely Jurrien Timber made extra profitable tackles yesterday, and we have now to take a look at Zubimendi’s half in each targets.

For the primary, he performed a stunning cross to Eze within the field, and when his shot was saved Declan Rice was there to use a well-taken end on the half-volley. He didn’t rejoice in opposition to his outdated membership, however you can see he was given a few of them the eyes after receiving some stick when he was taking corners. And it was from a Zubimendi cross that Timber was fouled, resulting in the second half penalty.

I’ve seen some dialogue of whether or not this ought to be a penalty or not as a result of the offence started exterior the field, however the legal guidelines of the sport say ‘If a defender begins holding an attacker exterior the penalty space and continues holding contained in the penalty space, the referee should award a penalty kick‘, and this appears pretty clear reduce to me.

I’ve additionally seen dialogue of whether or not or not Bukayo Saka ought to have let Viktor Gyokeres take it. The Swede has now gone six video games and not using a aim, however I’m completely effective with Saka stepping up. He has been the designated #1 penalty taker for a while, even when he does the outdated switcheroo with Odegaard infrequently. This was his two hundredth Premier League look, and he was going to mark it with a aim. He made no mistake from the spot, that kind of made the sport protected, and whereas I don’t assume there was something pointed in any respect in the direction of the summer season signing, it’s a bit reminder for Gyokeres that at this stage you’ve gotta ship.

This was nothing just like the Kai Havertz second when a participant underneath huge scrutiny, and actually low on confidence, had but to attain, and the workforce gave him that likelihood in a sport we have been already profitable comfortably. This penalty might have been decisive, Saka had the mentality that he was the person, he was going to attain, and I’m all for that. Gyokeres did one other hard-working job for the workforce, Arteta actually sounded happy afterwards with how he performed, and I’m certain the targets will come.

The remainder of the sport performed out as you’d anticipate. West Ham had little risk, we made extra adjustments, together with one which noticed Rice ask to be taken off due to a again downside, and I think about each he and Odegaard might be assessed with regards their worldwide commitments for England and Norway.

Afterwards, having gained his three hundredth sport in cost, Arteta stated:

The final two video games have been very particular. Newcastle, as a result of we had a historical past there, a variety of scars and a variety of lesson to take, we put that proper. Then we had West Ham, dropping two video games at residence within the earlier two seasons. I instructed them it was a giant alternative, we’ve had very tough fixtures for the reason that begin of the season, and a few very dangerous accidents as nicely not serving to. Nonetheless, the workforce is performing, enjoying nicely, profitable right this moment with absolute dominance and with out conceding a aim. So, good to get to the worldwide break on this spirit.

I feel the final two video games have proven Arsenal’s means to win video games with out having to essentially stretch ourselves, and whereas there’s most likely some dialogue available about how that leaves you nearer to the margins than you would possibly like, I additionally assume you’ll be able to see there’s most likely extra within the tank if we wanted it. Going into the Interlull on prime of the desk is good, albeit there’s a protracted approach to go this season.

That stated, it was barely a few weeks in the past that after the Man Metropolis sport this workforce was being torn asunder by a number of the most vociferous, and to my thoughts verging on disingenuous, exterior criticism, and but right here we’re. Humorous, eh? It does show how shortly issues can change in soccer. Final weekend there was a believable state of affairs the place we might have ended up eight factors behind Liverpool, and every week later we’re some extent forward. Like I stated, a protracted approach to go, however let’s recognise the hassle and character that has gone into the final seven days. Three video games, three wins, a single aim conceded, and we’re in a pleasant place the place we will go into this worldwide break in a comparatively calm approach. There’s quite a bit to be stated for that.

Proper, I’ll go away it there. We’ll have an Arsecast Further for you tomorrow, however we’re not recording till the afternoon. For now although, have an amazing Sunday people.