Arsenal finally got on the Premier League scoreboard at the third time of asking, courtesy a hard-fought 3-1 victory over East Londoners, West Ham. Like in their previous two games, Arsenal again fell behind when Arnautovic fired a low shot beyond the outstretched Petr Cech. However, West Ham’s lead lasted only five minutes and parity was restored when Monreal got on the end of a flowing Arsenal move.
Arsenal then went through the gears in the second half and went ahead fortuitously when a cruel deflection off Diop ended up in the back of the net. The Gunners finally sealed the game in stoppage-time with Danny Welbeck grabbing a much-needed goal.
Arsenal are still vulnerable in the wide areas
Arsenal started the game with Mkhitaryan and Iwobi occupying the flanks. Emery would have hoped that the aforementioned pairing would provide Arsenal’s full backs with more protection. However, it wasn’t to be.
The West Ham full backs had a field day in the attacking third and troubled the Arsenal full backs by creating numerous two-on-one situations. The whole blame can’t be pinned on Mkhitaryan and Iwobi though. Bellerin and Monreal were effective going forward but were very shaky going the other way.
2 Arsenal need to pull off the ‘high line’ better
Unai Emery and high defensive lines have become synonymous over the years. However, at all of his past teams, he had a center back quick enough to make the recovery tackle if the line went wrong. In an Arsenal back line devoid with pace, a lot of work needs to be done before the Gunners can perfect their manager’s preferred defensive line.
Arsenal conceded against Chelsea when Morata broke the offside trap and slotted coolly past Cech. In the game against West Ham, Arnautovic and Antonio broke the trap on a number of occasions. If West Ham’s strikers had been clinical, Arsenal could have found themselves in serious trouble.
3. Aubameyang and Lacazette need to play together
After an unproductive first half, Alex Iwobi was hauled off at half time. Lacazette was introduced to provide the spark in the final third and he didn’t disappoint.
The most exciting and encouraging aspect of his performance was his link-up play with Aubameyang. Five minutes into his appearance, he was set-up by a clever Aubameyang touch. In addition to this, there were numerous instances where the duo combined to drag the West Ham defence all over the place.