Arsenal clawed back a 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with West Ham at the London Stadium last Sunday.
Arteta fielded a relatively strong side but there were 3 notable selections. Calum Chambers played at right back in order to counteract West Ham’s aerial threat following a good outing at Burnley recently. Pablo Mari came in for Gabriel, again to help combat the aerial threat. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started on the right wing which was an instantly curious decision due his struggles in that position in the past.
The Gunners started the game awfully, looking lethargic and struggling to keep the ball, while West Ham came out firing from the off. West Ham scored the opener 15 minutes in as Antonio looked to take on Luiz on the wing. Antonio picked out Lingard whose touch flicked the ball up on the edge of the box, setting himself for an excellent half volley into the top corner.
Arsenal’s misery was compounded 2 minutes later when Bukayo Saka’s clean tackle was given as a free kick. Tierney, Mari, Partey, Xhaka, Saka and Luiz all unforgivably turned their backs on the ball which allowed Lingard to stroll up and play Bowen 1 on 1 from the quick free kick. Bowen struck the ball low at the near post, rolling into the net as Leno misjudged the shot. A terrible goal to concede.
The pain did not stop there with West Ham continuing to push for more and getting their reward in the 32ndminute. Tierney did well to block a Bowen cross but the ball popped back to Coufal who had loads of space to deliver a cross into the box. Antonio beat Luiz in the air with his header bouncing off Soucek and into the net.
Somehow, at 3-0 down, Arsenal managed to flick a switch aand kick themselves into gear. Ødegaard, who was Arsenal’s best player by far in the opening half an hour, played Chambers into a crossing position on the right, with the Englishman picking out Lacazette in the box. Lacazette took a superb touch to set himself and struck a shot which deflected off Soucek and into the top corner to make it 3-1.
Soucek OG 3-1
Arsenal’s momentum continued in the second half and they capitalised on the hour mark. Partey played the ball to Saka who laid it off to Ødegaard. The Norwegian drove infield before finding the marauding Chambers with a lovely reverse pass. Chambers fizzed the ball across the West Ham 6 yard box and Craig Dawson emphatically smashed the ball into the roof of his own net. 3-2.
Dawson OG 3-2
West Ham had a great chance late on when Benrahma wriggled past Tierney and flashed a cross along the goal line but Antonio on the stretch could only direct it onto the post.
The comeback was completed in the 82nd minute as Arsenal’s pressure paid off. Ødegaard once again found himself in the middle of the pitch, this time picking out Pépé on the right. Ødegaard’s pass forced Pépé to play the ball first time, delivering an excellent cross with his right foot to find the head of Lacazette who thumped the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-3.
Lacazette 3-3
It was a game of joy and despair, summarising the good and the bad of Arsenal’s season. The opening half an hour was unacceptable, yet that same group of players managed to complete an inspired turnaround. It leaves Arsenal in a strange position but hopefully it was just 30 minutes of madness.
For the opening 17 minutes, Aubameyang lined up on the right wing and struggled greatly. In that opening period, Arsenal had 36% possession and only 81% pass accuracy, being unable to keep the ball and launch attacks. Aubameyang played a large part in these issues.
As pointed out by Art de Roche of The Athletic, Aubameyang often hugged the touchline in the opening period, restricting the movement of Ødegaard and limiting Chambers from overlapping.
After West Ham’s second goal, Aubameyang was moved over to the left and it unleashed Arsenal’s attacking threat on the right side – with all 3 goals coming from the right wing.
Arsenal’s 1st goal showed the benefit of not having Aubameyang on the right wing. With Saka in that position, he looks to run inside Creswell, taking him away from defending the wing. Ødegaard has drifted out to the right as Chambers overlaps into the open space, allowing him to pick out Lacazette for the first goal.
The second goal followed the same pattern with Saka forcing Creswell to defend narrower and allowing space for Chambers. Ødegaard this time drifts inside before playing in Chambers to cross.
Chambers was a surprise standout performer on the day, being compared to Cafu by Jamie Carragher on commentary. Chambers has spent most of the season recovering from a long term injury so it was great to see him play so well and show that he can contribute for the rest of the season.
Adam Perry - 26/03/2021