The Hammers were just what was needed to get us back to winning ways. West Ham started OK, but faded quickly in the first half and were quite fortunate to get into the locker room even at 0-0. Antonio was substituted for at the break and that was that for the threat from the visitors. Arsenal piled on the pressure--in truth it didn't require their best effort--and eventually were rewarded when a weak shot evaded Randolph and put the Gunners up a goal. Ten minutes later, nice work from Alexis and Ozil resulted in the latter's cutback to captain Walcott, who finished clinically into the lower left corner. Substitute Giroud made it 3-0 with a great curling shot from perhaps 20 yards and to the right of goal that ended up a foot inside the far post past the outstretched arms of Randolph. Ox set him up for this after running past a dispirited West Ham midfield.
The Hammers made almost every Gunner look good today. Emi Martinez was fine in goal. Gabriel and Mustafi handled everything that came their way; Andy Carroll in particular was toothless. Monreal was his usual great self, and Bellerin played good defense and should have had a goal. (I keep hoping he'll replicate that wonderful shot against Liverpool.) Elneny and Xhaka did well, not having had to deal with a Coutinho or Silva today, and Ozil seemed more interested than usual. Alexis could have had an assist or two had we finished better. Walcott scored and was involved more today than on the weekend, but then it's West Ham. Welbeck was disappointing; he was set up for a relatively easy goal but barely touched the lob.
Spuds won, Chelsea beat City, and Liverpool dropped two points at home to Bournemouth. United's draw yesterday means that we're in fifth on goal difference. We're four points out of fourth, with a game in hand. It's looking possible that we could qualify for Champions' League, but still less than even money; and I think we can finally say goodbye to St. Totteringham's Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment