The immediate aftermath of a result which did not fall in the way of the Gunners was always going to see the emotion and fiery responses. It also brings plenty of hyperbole and the overreaction toward individuals, in particular, can boil over and cross lines.
Arsenal’s draw with West Ham United was the second instance of the Gunners dropping points in consecutive games for only the second time in the season. In comparison, Manchester City have not yet dropped points in consecutive games all season.
The two draws both featured the stand-in right-sided centre-half Rob Holding. The experienced Arsenal defender has been performing in place of William Saliba who has missed the last four matches with a back injury suffered against Sporting CP prior to the international break.
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With the dropped points came the pointing fingers. Holding was an easy target but hardly the correct one yesterday.
Neither of West Ham’s goals were created down Holding’s right side and the lack of control in the game could hardly fall at the feet of the defender. Are Arsenal a better side with Saliba in the side over Holding? Based on this season’s performances you’d have to say so but the reason behind these two draws falling in Holding’s lap seems off and very harsh.
Ultimately the timing of the injuries to not just Saliba but also Takehiro Tomiyasu has created a scenario where Arsenal have needed arguably their third-choice right-sided centre-back. Were the Japanese international fit, Ben White could have come in with Tomiyasu playing right-back as the pair did for the majority of last season.
To win the title there is always going to be an element of luck needed. Mikel Arteta admitted as much right before the game against West Ham.
"You need luck in the right moments," Arteta said. "Why that luck comes is really important, how you think about it and what’s going to happen. It’s another part of this sport; sometimes it’s about inches and those inches need to go your way. "
The club haven't had that luck when it has come to injuries, despite what Erik ten Hag would have people think. Losing such a key player in Saliba is going to have an impact and that needs to be overcome with a hope of winning the title, but it is a big ask.
Arsenal have surrendered two two-goal leads now after Liverpool and West Ham, there needs to be more emphasis on what has caused this lapse. The pressure certainly exists but both trips to Anfield and east London are notoriously two of the trickier fixtures in the league.
That said, the Gunners showed what they’re capable of doing to any side in any stadia with how they started both matches. The challenge it seems, with seven games to go, is working out how they sustain it.
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