This win was a fatal blow to the Arsenal side and supporters in their premier league campaign morale. Many of the fans and analysts didn't predict this outcome of events so today we take a look at what went wrong for Arsenal.
Defensive errors
Petr Cech is usually known for making good defensive decisions in critical moments but the debutant made a wrong call when he decided to come out for the ball. Cech chose to try and punch the ball out leaving the goal line unattended and Kouyate capitalized on it scoring an easy header.
It is well known that Arsenal aren't the greatest team at defending set-pieces but this was a normal drill and the defenders slacked on their job. Nacho Monreal appeared to be assigned to Kouyaté – this Arsenal team is
not blessed with much height on set-pieces – and allowed him to dart
unchallenged towards goal. By that time, though, Cech had made the
decision to race the significant distance from his line and never looked
like getting to the ball first. When Kouyaté did, he had the simple
task of heading into the empty net.The defenders should have been on their men and trolled back with them and ensured that they made the attackers life difficult. In overall, the Cech should put more trust in his defenders and ensure that he gives more authority at the back as he is in the position to see what's hapening.
Pressure
The Gunners were wildly energetic and spiritful across their preseason campaign but they didn't bring the same zeal against West Ham. They allowed them to hold possession freely while at the same time losing it cheaply when they got it. This is what led to the Hammers getting their fast goal as they had a lot of time on the ball. The second goal was also from the same effort with Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain losing the ball easily.
Pressing for the ball should have been what the Gunners were to do and ensure that they stuck tightly to the West Ham players- give them no room. Ultimately, it was failing to react to what West Ham were doing defensively that cost Arsenal - but normally that would probably mean them drawing 0-0.
Full-backs could not find the answer
You might think the width Arsenal lacked could have come from their full-backs. That is true, but the problem with that is that the opposition can see it coming. When they join in with attacks, full-backs are usually getting the ball deeper and trying to play balls into the box from further away from the goal, which again is easier to defend against.On Sunday, Arsenal also missed Hector Bellerin and Kieran Gibbs, who would usually have been at right-back and left-back.
Those two are much more attack-minded and also quicker than Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal, who did not have much of an impact.
It was only when Theo Walcott and then Alexis Sanchez came on in the second half that the Gunners started to get the ball wide with any purpose, stretch West Ham and get behind their defence.
However.....All is not lost
What happened to Arsenal on Sunday does not mean that playing that way, with players coming in off the wings, will not work for them because it definitely will.Part of the reason West Ham kept them out was that they defended brilliantly.
"We will respond to that accident," Wenger said.
"The players were maybe too nervous and put too much pressure on themselves. Today we have been hurt mentally and it is a good opportunity to respond." He added: "We were not convincing offensively or defensively. I knew it could be a tricky game. If you can't win the game, make sure you don't lose it."
What do you guys think went wrong with Arsenal opener with West ham? Submit your comments and rally in the conversation.
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