Why Arsenal’s performance against West Ham epitomises where they stand under Arteta

Embed from Getty Images

The nature of Arsenal’s season was perfectly summed up by their showing at the London Stadium, as their combination of inconsistency and brilliance, saw them come from three goals down to draw with West Ham.

If ever there was a game that could highlight not only the progress Arsenal have made since the turn of the year, but also the amount of work needed in order to become a top team again, it was their performance against West Ham.

From the first whistle, they were second best all over the pitch, struggling to cope with the intensity set out by the hosts and void of any attacking threat. The Hammers were able to pull Arsenal out of their shape with some fluid passing patterns and frankly looked a class above in the opening exchanges.

An unbelievable Jesse Lingard strike put West Ham ahead after a quarter of an hour and two minutes later they doubled their lead when Jared Bowen finished off the Manchester United loanee’s quick free-kick. Tomas Soucek got in on the act to seemingly put the game out of sight, with Arsenal fans looking on, and wondering just how embarrassing it could get.

As the clock ticked over to the 32 minute mark, Mikel Arteta’s side were staring down the barrel of their most humiliating defeat under his reign, as it appeared that old habits had came back to haunt them once more.

However, on this occasion Arsenal showed something that they had been lacking since the early days under Arsene Wenger, which was belief. Over the past few years, this isn’t a trait that has been associated with them very often, as their soft underbelly has been exposed numerous times especially when up against it.

But moments after going three down, Arsenal sprung into the life almost, as if it had taken them to be nearly out the game to realise that they needed to start playing. Before the break, they clawed one back when Alexandre Lacazette’s effort was deflected in off Soucek to gift them a lifeline in the second half.

Whatever Arteta said to his players at the interval certainly had an effect, as the away side came out with renewed confidence and assurance, following up their first-goal with another one when Calum Chambers’ cross was put in his own net by Craig Dawson. The theme of Arsenal dominance continued throughout the half and they finally completed the comeback when Lacazette headed home Nicolas Pepe’s cross from close-range eight minutes from time.

The contrast between the two halves was night and day, as they started the game looking lost and lacking any sort of desire, but grew into it steadily while display all the characteristics any top team should. It was symbolic of their season, as they’ve struggled to build any sort of momentum, and only adds to the frustration for fans to see the potential Arteta’s men possess when they are fully firing.

Heading into the campaign, there was high hopes for Arsenal and having come off the back of winning the FA Cup, a sense of optimism was starting to engulf the club. However, these hopes were quickly dashed when they made their worst ever start to a Premier League season, claiming just 13 points from the first 12 games.

Arteta’s hybrid 3-4-3 formation provided much needed defensive stability, leading to the Gunners keeping more clean sheets than usual, but their distinct lack of creativity proved to be the catalyst for the poor start. Playing without a player to operate between the lines to link the midfield to the attack meant Arsenal were struggling to score goals, therefore it forced the Spaniard into switching up his approach in order to find a better balance.

Youngster Emile Smith Rowe was thrown in for his first start in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Chelsea on Boxing Day and Arsenal haven’t looked back since. Although he only made a short cameo against West Ham, it was fellow playmaker Martin Ødegaard who took centre stage, operating in the Englishman’s natural position.

Without doubt, the decision to bring in a player to find spaces in between the opposition midfield has been pivotal to their upturn in form, as seen in this fixture Ødegaard was a key component of the attack and created multiple openings for his teammates.

Another aspect that was evident in the second half, which wasn’t there in the first, is the way they were aggressive in the press. Since the turn of the year, a key reason that progress has made is because of Arteta’s willingness to reintroduce the basics of his philosophy, that served him so well last season. The intensity in which the front four pressed with from the front caused West Ham to go long, making it easier to regain possession and sustain pressure, when the hosts began to tire.

Despite the positives in the end, one major concern is the form of star striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He’s currently enduring his most difficult spell in English football, since arriving just over three years ago, and cut a disinterested figure on the left-wing at the London Stadium.

The 31-year-old has been Arsenal’s most prolific goalscorer in recent times, but his struggles on and on the pitch have been clear to see this season. With a place in the top six and the Europa League still up for grabs, Arteta will need to find a tune out of his main man, if they are to achieve anything meaningful from now until May.

All in all, it was a display that put into perspective where Arsenal are as a club, and at this moment the key is consistency. The last week highlights this perfectly, as Arteta possesses a squad that can dominate the north London derby from start to finish, while showing the tactical understanding to execute his game-plan in order to claim victory. But then in the very next game can put in a lifeless performance in the Europa League, showing little signs of improvement, followed by West Ham a few days later where they showed the very best and worst of the team in one 90 minutes.

Undoubtedly, Arsenal have an unprecedented amount of work to do if they are to be competing amongst the best clubs in Europe again, but will Arteta be the man capable of leading them to do so?

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt