Arsenal were stunned by West Ham as the east London side walked away from the Emirates with three points for the first time since April 2007 as goals from Cheikou Kouyaté and Mauro Zarate ensured the Gunners lost at home on the opening day for the second time in three seasons. I analyse where Arsenal went wrong and what needs to be done.
What went wrong?
Arsenal had a fantastic pre-season, winning every game, and even winning the curtain-raiser at Wembley against Chelsea in the Community Shield last weekend. But, today, they lacked ideas and invention in the midfield, they looked tired and lethargic too. There was no intensity or drive to win the game from any of the players, I can’t even recall Arsenal having a clear-cut chance, there were a few half-chances and shots but the Gunners lacked penetration and a cutting edge which most title contenders have.
It was a reminder of last season slightly, with Cheikou Kouyate heading home the opener for West Ham, a high line in defence, Dimitri Payet delivers a wonderful cross, Petr Cech comes too far to punch it clear and was beaten comfortably. The second goal was even worse, Mauro Zarate picked up the ball 20 yards from goal, no one closed him down, and beat Petr Cech when he should’ve made a simple save.
Arsenal had no width, everything was very narrow, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Özil and Santi Cazorla could never find a killer pass because there was no movement out wide or even through the middle with Olivier Giroud – further enhancing the need for a world-class striker.
West Ham deployed plenty of big, tall players to bully Arsenal’s midfield and offensive threats off the ball, time and time again there would be no space or movement from an Arsenal man attempting to create something.
Mesut Özil was anonymous along with Santi Cazorla and Giroud, not once did they show the passion and desire to create something or galvanise the team when it was down, in fact, not one single player tried to pick the team up, the cry out for a leader in the team, someone of the ilk of Tony Adams really has been lacking for such a long time now, it’s moments like this that will really cost Arsenal in the big moments, later in the season. There aren’t really any positives to take out of this game, it’s a terrible result for Arsenal and an even worse performance on a day where pundits, journalists and fans alike were predicting the Gunners to destroy West Ham.
What needs to happen now?
There needs to be a response at Crystal Palace next weekend first of all, the significance of that game could be huge, because if Arsenal are without a point after the first two games, question marks will be raised and the finger will be pointed at Arsène Wenger. The Gunners were very poor all over the pitch, but the most pressing need is in the striker department, with rumours circulating that Karim Benzema could be a potential signing. I can’t see it happening myself, but it would show Arsenal mean business this season, with the additions of two high-quality players in Petr Cech and Benzema.
