Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
(Bowen 44′)
EMIRATES STADIUM — The evening was marked by Arsenal’s frustrating quest for a goal against West Ham, epitomized by David Raya’s unexpected sprint upfield for a corner deep into stoppage time, only to dash back to the halfway line once the ball was cleared. Despite his impressive 50-metre dash, outpacing James Ward-Prowse, the Gunners’ struggles in the final third raised questions about the viability of their Premier League title aspirations.
In a bold tactical decision, Arsenal fielded a central midfielder as a striker for the entire match, later opting to pair him with a centre-back during the eight minutes of added time. It was hardly surprising that they appeared so blunt in attack.
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The excitement surrounding Mikel Merino’s standout performance at Leicester just a week prior quickly dissipated, particularly against West Ham, of all teams. Following his remarkable brace at the King Power, Merino admitted he hadn’t played as a number nine since he was just nine years old. On Saturday, he resembled a player grappling with a position he hadn’t occupied in nearly two decades.
While the Spain international has proven to be a valuable Plan B, he struggled to serve as an effective Plan A. Adapting to an unfamiliar role is significantly easier when coming off the bench as opposed to starting when the game’s tempo has yet to establish.
Mikel Arteta had previously highlighted Merino’s versatility after successfully luring him from Real Sociedad, but he likely did not anticipate needing him to lead the line in a title challenge.
After attempting to deploy a smaller winger as a false nine against Leicester with limited success, Arteta opted for a more traditional approach, placing the towering Merino upfront from the outset. Standing at an imposing 6ft 2in and known for his aerial prowess, Merino seemed a more natural fit for this Arsenal side, which has flourished from set-pieces, than either Leandro Trossard or Ethan Nwaneri, who both offer a different style of play.
It’s important to clarify: Merino was not the reason for Arsenal’s defeat. He performed as well as could be expected, showcasing a refined touch when the ball reached him and displaying commendable movement in the box. However, his makeshift role is indicative of a broader issue within the squad.
Arsenal’s failure to act in the January transfer window may haunt them as the season progresses. Losing Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz during the first week of February was unfortunate but hardly surprising given their extensive playing time. Not bolstering an already thin attacking line proved to be a significant oversight.
Despite Arsenal registering four times more attempts on goal than West Ham, they rarely looked threatening. Arteta expressed his frustration post-match, stating his team was “nowhere near the levels” required but refrained from attributing the lack of goals solely to the current personnel shortage.
West Ham, currently positioned as the 16th-best team in the Premier League this season, boasts a deeper attacking lineup than Arsenal, who are currently second-best. This disparity is likely to persist in the coming weeks as they await the return of Bukayo Saka and Martinelli from hamstring injuries.
Jarrod Bowen emerged as the match-winner with a precise finish from close range. Mohammed Kudus was undeniably the standout player, demonstrating exceptional counter-attacking skills and drawing a red card from Myles Lewis-Skelly after one of his many incisive runs into enemy territory.
Graham Potter even had the luxury of introducing Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson towards the end of the match, while Danny Ings sat unused on the bench. How Arteta longed for such depth in his squad.
Injuries to vital attacking players have been compounded by the inconsistent form of those still available. Leandro Trossard has struggled this season, as has Martin Odegaard by his standards.
Arsenal’s captain, Odegaard, faced heavy criticism from home fans after opting to roll the ball back to Gabriel from a free-kick with about ten minutes left, as they yearned for a more aggressive approach.
Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal’s brightest talent against Leicester, found himself overwhelmed in this encounter, unable to make an impact against a seasoned back five.
West Ham played with the defensive solidity characteristic of a David Moyes team rather than the attacking flair associated with Graham Potter. They defended compactly, maintained their shape out of possession, and posed a threat on the counter. This victory could serve as a pivotal moment for the Potter era, marking his fourth win in his last five visits to the Emirates.
On this occasion, the distinction between the two teams was clear: a team boasting goalscorers triumphed over one that lacked them.
