David Hytner’s report has just landed so I’ll sign off. It’s a sound read on a chaotic game that undulated with great momentum swings. As David says, “This was a game that Arsenal had in the palm of their hand.” In the end though, well, you know how it went.
Thanks all. Really enjoyed that. Hope you did too.
Looking forward to the next one.
Dan
I’m with James from AFTV. I thought taking off Jesus felt odd at the time and so it proved. They lacked thrust and took far too long to introduce Nketiah.
Yeah don’t agree with some of the subs Arteta made but I’m looking at the players today. They really let this one slip and have to have a good look at themselves
— James B (@JamesB_afc) April 16, 2023
Maybe Arsenal can play the rest of their games on a Saturday?
Sundays not good for my beloved #Arsenal.
— Tiisetso Malepa (@TiisetsoMalepa) April 16, 2023
Two Sunday afternoons in a row we take a 2-0 lead and then we throw it away.
Updated
Bilal Ahmed Shariff is keeping the faith:
“I think its worth noting that its still in Arsenal’s hands, if they can avoid defeat to City. Last season, City also drew to West Ham 2-2 very late in the season when very few expected them to drop points. On paper, City probably won’t drop points but this is football, never say never.”
It’s the first time a team leading the Premier League has let a two goal lead slip in two consecutive games.
Does that stat mean anything? Answer below for 10 marks.
Here’s Bowen and Antonio on Sky:
B: “It’s a massive point. Coming into this no one expected us to get anything from the game. We used that to our advantage. We got the crowd on our side. It wasn’t the start we wanted. We dug in and nearly nicked it at the end.”
A: “With the pen, I think it’s harsh. My arm was just sticking out. But we take positives from the game. We take a point higher in the league and we take positives from that. Managed to get 2-2 with the leaders. Something to build on.”
B: “We started on the front foot. It was two lapses in concentration and we got punished for it. But the character in this group has never gone. It’s a massive point.
A: “Before the game we said we could get something. We started the game well. We didn’t give up. We kept going and had opportunities to win the game.”
Eagle Brosi (great name btw) is choosing to see a glass that is half full:
“I mean I get that this is a horrible crash and catastrophic for Arsenal and their title challenge.
“But personally I still think Pep has it in him to completely mess this up. He hates leftbacks, he hates forwards, and he hates players having fun and scoring. Surely Pep will sell Ake and then loan Haaland to Arsenal.”
John Potter sent this when Arsenal were still 2-1 up. To be fair to John, I didn’t think they’d blow it.
“For a few seasons Liverpool were the only team pushing Man City and their fans were calling ‘pool the greatest team ever.
"Arsenal are leading from the front this season, is Arteta getting the plaudits he deserves? Should Arsenal fans be more vocal about what an achievement it is matching Man City?”
I think Arteta is definitely getting credit. At the start of the campaign most Arsenal fans would have settled for fourth. That they’re still in the running this late on is beyond expectation.
Still, they’d need to win the league and maintain that challenge for a few years to be spoken of in those terms.
“Hi Daniel, So the great title race is now over and MC will romp away to win by 6 or 7 points and everyone will wonder what the fuss was about.”
I’m sure that’s been typed with Phillip Haran’s tongue firmly in his cheek, but perhaps that’s exactly how it’ll pan out?
Espen Bommen disagrees:
“Everybody taking about Arsenal having to beat City or win today to keep their title hopes alive. No they don’t. One point today is actually crucial. They need a result against City even if they win today as City’s goal difference is superior. Draw today, draw against City and it’s still completely in Arsenal’s hands.”
Look, you’d rather be top of the table than playing catch up. If it were any other team but this Haaland-led City I’d be on board. But, as I said yesterday, I can’t see them dropping any points for the rest of the season. They’re just so ruthless.
Full-Time: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal
When Arsenal took a 2-0 lead this had the makings of a walkover. But West Ham rallied and fully deserve a share of the points.
The headlines will focus on the two points dropped by title chasing Arsenal, who could have buried this game but Saka missed a penalty and the chance to make it 3-1.
A few minutes later Bowen equalised and it was the home side that looked more like bagging the winner.
Arsenal are still top with a four point cushion, though they’ve played a game more than Manchester City and must still go to the Etihad in 10 days’ time.
It’s a big point for West Ham who stay 15th but open some breathing room between themselves at the drop.
Reaction to come.
Updated
90+5 min: Corney is unleashed down the right and puts in a low cross. Holding hoists his clearance high and Arsenal break. But without much cohesion and West Ham file in behind. Trossard has a chance to shoot but that’s blocked. That’ll be that.
90+4 min: White hangs one to the back post. No one’s there. Fabianski grabs onto a loose ball. Arsenal running out of time.
90+3 min: Bowen’s in-swinger is a good one but it’s cleared. Cresswell nutmegs Nketiah and West Ham keep the ball alive. A slick move down the right almost creates the opening but Arsenal scramble to clear.
90+1 min: West Ham win a corner. They couldn’t. Could they?
90 min: Five minutes added. Vieira takes the free kick but it lacks any pace. Just floated up and the header towards goal is tame, allowing Fabianksi to fall on it without any fuss.
Updated
89 min: Another move heavy on cute passes but lacking in anything of value comes to nothing for Arsenal. Nelson has it on the flank but doesn’t cross. Instead he moves it back infield and eventually Arsenal win a free kick in the middle of the park.
Nketiah finally comes on the field for Odegaard. Is that too late though?
West Ham also make a change. The penalty scorer Benrahma is replaced by Fornals.
88 min: Arsenal going nowhere. They’re exchanging passes around the half way line. No thrust or go-forward. What are they playing at?
Updated
87 min: Double switch for West Ham. Antonio makes way for Cornet and Paqueta leaves the field for Downes. Two of the brighter lights for the home side depart. Is that Moyes shutting up shop?
87 min: West Ham defending very deep. Arsenal playing in front of them. Nelson crosses with his right foot from the left and Saka rises to meet it but heads it wide.
86 min: Benhrama has a great chance to cross from the left after a loose ball lands at his feet. But he fluffs it. Shows how fragile this is for Arsenal.
84 min: West Ham still looking dangerous on the counter. Benrahma almost on the end of a swift ball forward.
Arsenal with another double change. Nelson and Vieira on for Tierney and Martinelli.
YELLOW! West Ham (Crewsswell, 82)
I’ll admit. I completely missed that one. But Cresswell is in the book.
83 min: Odegaard takes up a great position between the lines but his disguised pass is to nobody.
81 min: Antonio has hit the post! Or the crossbar rather. At the back post he’s peddling back on his heels on a tight angle and can’t keep it down to squeeze it into the net. Great ball from deep near the byline. I think that was Bowen.
81 min: Trossard with a cute forward ball. He can’t quite find a run of an attacking player ahead of him but that’s the go-forward that is needed.
79 min: Now West Ham are showing off. A Cruyff-like turn from Kehrer manoeuvres space inside his own half. The ball is launched forward for Antonio but the space is snuffed out. Arsenal back on the attack.
“Hi Daniel!”
Hey Robert Holmes.
“You’re a wonderful M-B-Mer and I would just like to tell you that me and my pals have been screaming “peno!” since I can remember and I’m 41 now. It’s definitely a thing in Ireland, anyway. Happy to concur with my fellow Holmes.”
That’s very kind, cheers mate. Next time I’m in Ireland I’ll be screaming ‘PENO!’ with the rest of you!
77 min: Tierney to the rescue. Bowen collects a ball on a diagonal run between the lines and cuts right and then left before firing a firm shot on the angle. Tierney diverts it behind for a corner after lunging well.
76 min: It’s all a bit rushed. Arsenal have to chase a winner but that clipped ball from Martinelli seemed more in hope than expectation. They’ll dominate possession for the rest of the game. Surely they back themselves to bag a goal if they keep the ball long enough? Credit to West Ham. They’ve been brilliant this half.
75 min: Getting nervy now for Arsenal. Thing is they just don’t look like scoring again. West Ham keeping them at arm’s length. They are late goal merchants though. This of course ain’t over.
“It’s called a peno or penno in Ireland,” says Craig Sinnamon.
Well that’s me told. Thanks for putting me straight.
73 min: Odegaard playing deeper, linking with Jorginho. But there’s no thrust until they go wide, which will suit West Ham now that there isn’t a genuine striker on the pitch for the Gunners. Nketiah time?
72 min: Jorginho on the ball. Trossard also involved. They’ve both had an impact but no penetration just yet. Trossard shifts it wide for Martinelli. The ball comes in from Tierney and Zouma clears with a firm header.
Rick Harris has seen this movie before:
“I watched United surge to 2-0 against Sevilla and then Anthony’s shot rebounded off the post and Malacia dithered and failed to score to put them 3-0 up and the game to bed. Arsenal have done exactly the same today letting West Ham back into a game they should have never had a sniff in.
“Looks like they will have to beat City at the Etihad to keep their title hopes alive.”
70 min: Rice does well to win the ball high up the field but Arsenal break. It’s a 3-2 with Saka on the ball. The space doesn’t open up, he can’t pass or shoot until he runs out of options and slips as he trickles a tame effort straight to Fabianski.
68 min: Quick feet in midfield from Trossard allows him to free up Odegaard but West Ham’s pressing wins the ball back. Arsenal need to keep the ball for longer. That’s why Jorginho is on. Their midfield has disintegrated.
66 mins: A double change for Arsenal. Their best player, Jesus, and their worst player, Partey, both make way. Trossard and Jorginho on.
Updated
65 min: Arsenal’s corner comes to nothing. At least as far as Arsenal is concerned because Antonio is galloping upfield. All the way to the far corner where he wins a throw in.
64 min: A spring in West Ham’s step sees them pressing high up the pitch. Arsenal can barely get out of their own third. Eventually they do and Partey has the ball. White feeds Jesus who slides in Tierney. The cut back fizzes all the way to Saka who clips towards the back post but Bowen is there to see it out before Jesus can steal in.
Updated
63 min: Coufal’s long throw again. That’s been such a fun theme in this game. It’s a Premier League game contested by two of the richest clubs in the world and a good ol’ long throw has been a feature. Zouma meets it but can’t steer it towards goal.
VAR, what is it good for, asks Chris Lambert:
“I’m not asking the point of VAR, because it makes sense to have the system… but I am desperately asking whose hand is meant to be on the tiller and why they’re playing absentee-landlord while the whole thing becomes an endless monument to incompetence.”
“Shooting from anywhere inside the box now has an added ‘back-door’ hand ball peno (couldn’t resist!) chance. When all other options are expelled, punt it and try to get a pen-oh.”
That’s from Richard Holmes. Is ‘peno’ a thing?
60 min: One for the stats nerds. That’s Bowen’s third consecutive home goal against Arsenal. The Gunners now taking their time to build and exchange a few passes but Odegaard sweeps the ball straight out of play to jeers from the crowd.
58 min: Oooh, that was a chance. Holding came out to header a long ball but didn’t catch it. That meant there was space behind him. If only Paqueta’s header was better directed, Antonio might have been in.
57 min: Arsenal need to take a beat here. They’re losing the battle of vibes. They’re a better team than West Ham but on sheer energy they’re third best in a two horse race. West Ham moving the ball really well in midfield with Paqueta seemingly everywhere.
56 min: Once again Arsenal are level at 2-2 after leading 2-0. It’s all West Ham. Antonio is weaving on the right flank. Good build up finds Bowen down the right and he puts in a wonderful ball to the far post. No one is there but Benhrama wasn’t far away.
A Coufal long throw finally yields a goal. It wasn’t directly from the throw, that was met by a strong Gabriel header. But the returning ball from Kehrer found Bowen unmarked and he swept it past Ramsdale. Questions over the ‘keeper who perhaps should have done better.
GOAL! West Ham 2-2 Arsenal (Bowen, 54)
What an extraordinary five minutes! Arsenal miss a penalty and West Ham equalise in the blink of an eye. Bowen at the back post blasts it into the ned. It’s a long ball back in the mix and Gabriel is playing him on side. Bowen volleys into the ground and it has enough to get past Ramsdale.
Updated
Saka misses the penalty!
Oh wow! What a moment. It’s a terrible penalty from Saka. He opens his body and searches for the top left corner but skews it well wide. Are we going to talk about that come the end of the season?
Updated
50 min: PENALTY ARSENAL! So unlucky. Antonio, charging out to block a shot from Martinelli, has his arm away from his body and it’s a clear penalty. Not much he could do about that, he was so close to the strike, but them’s the rules.
49 min: Free kick for Arsenal from a handy spot on the left after a Zouma handball. Odegaard over it with his left foot. It’s a good dink into the mixer. A header out doesn’t clear the box and Saka shoots first time but it’s deflected for a corner.
48 min: A sloppy header from Holding bounces in the wrong direction and Antonio has space to run down the left. Bodies are arriving late into the box but the cross from a bouncing ball is far too deep and the danger dissipates. All West Ham early in this half.
46 min: A Coufal long throw has Arsenal once again under pressure. West Ham win the first ball and the second dribbles out for a corner.
Bowen’s ball is a good one. Holden headers away from the danger but out for another corner.
Back at it. BIIIIG 45 minutes in the title race coming up.
Updated
David Singleton is questioning both my description of the penalty and the decision to award it:
“Looking for contact? It was a dive. I can understand the ref giving it but why is VAR upholding that decision? He was throwing himself through the air before contact, that’s a dive. Contact in the box can’t always automatically be a peno. That’s exactly the type of thing VAR should be able to clean up.”
Thanks David. Good point. I’m not a fan of players looking for contact but it’s not a hill I’ll die on either way. I don’t think it was a dive but happy ti disagree. But it’s a point worth raising. Players would previously look for contact as some clear penalties weren’t given. But surely VAR means they no longer have to make a meal of things?
However, I will call you out for the use of ‘peno’. Unless that’s a typo.
This from Rick Harris landed in my inbox even before Arsenal scored their first goal. Seems like Rick knew something I didn’t, but he’s spot on. Really could go either way.
“Everyone is hoping the title race will go right down to the wire, but I wonder if Arsenal are due a party pooper moment and I have a feeling West Ham will do a number on them today – simply because nobody expects them to.”
“When Rice handballed that, I was expecting the whistle to go straightaway. What’s VAR for again?”
That’s from Richard T. W. Arthur. I’m not sure if he’s a Hammer fan but really it doesn’t matter. I must say I thought it looked like a handball when I first saw it.
“Hi Daniel!”
Hi Joe Pearson from Indianapolis. Glad to hear from ya!
“At the risk of sounding like some condescending jerk, allow this retired actuary a moment or two on statistics. A 49% win probability before the start of the match is really quite high. That would translate to betting odds of roughly 1/2 (-200 here in the States). That’s a pretty big favorite, especially considering that a tie is also one of the three possible outcomes. Sorry, I’ll shut up now.”
Please don’t apologise. You don’t sound like a jerk at all. This makes a lot of sense now and helps the rest of us maths illiterate folk better understand the numbers.
I wonder what the numbers would say now. Much more a contest than we expected.
Half-Time: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
That was a half of two halves. In the first period Arsenal were sublime. Beautifully worked goals for Jesus – the best player on the park – and Odegaard – who was everywhere, all at once at first – saw the Gunners take a 2-0 lead after just 10 minutes.
But West Ham rallied (eventually) and started launching bombs into the Arsenal box and fighting for the second ball. It paid off when Rice picked Partey’s pocket and then squared inside the area for Paqueta. The Brazilian was looking for the contact but it was sloppy from Gabriel. Benrahma cooly converted from the spot and it was all West Ham as the half unravelled.
Much to ponder for both managers. It seemed like we’d be witnesses to a rout but we’ve got a game on our hands.
Catch you in a few.
YELLOW! Arsenal (Jesus, 45+3)
Arsenal’s leading man is in the book after chasing back to catch Antonio on the break. He makes the yards but tugs at the West Ham striker’s shirt and is rightly punished.
45+3 min: Arteta is scribbling away. Not quite furiously but he doesn’t look too pleased with what he’s seen.
45+1 min: In the first of three minutes of added time Coufal hurls another long throw into the box. Amazing how teams struggle to adequately deal with them. Sustained pressure wins a corner which Bowen will take on the right. It’s an in-swinger to the back post where Zouma is lurking. He tries to poke the second ball into the net but can only hack it behind for a goal kick.
44 min: Arsenal are cut to shreds at the back with some tiki-taka from West Ham. It’s a delicious ball from Paqueta against the grain to Cresswell but the fullback is miles offside. Still, that was pretty and shows that this is a team capable of landing a few blows of their own.
Crewsswell is clattered in the process so there’s a slight delay.
Updated
43 min: Odegaard’s lifted ball across the pitch is expertly brought down bu Jesus. He holds it up before Tierney is found on the overlap. His cross isn’t a successful one. He gets another chance from a little deeper but over hits it.
41 min: Jesus comes deep to get his foot on the ball and calm things down. It works and all of a sudden Saka has the ball at the byline. His cut back dink doesn’t find a teammate but the ball is kept alive at the edge of the box. But there are too many chefs and the broth is spoiled as a promising move comes to nothing as they all get in each others’ way. Quality from Jesus though. Having a great game.
39 min: Xhaka makes a mess of his header and Gabriel is forced to clear. But it’s a rushed hack at the ball and spins out for a throw near the corner. A long throw sends it in the mixer and it breaks for Paqueta on the edge of the area who swings his right foot at a bouncing ball and blazes it over the top. It’s that second ball that is causing so much grief for Arsenal right now. West Ham all over them.
37 min: Nervy stuff from Arsenal. Ramsdale flaps at a corner and they just about get it away. But West Ham are back at them and crossing from the left once more. This is cleared with more authority and eventually Arsenal get a throw in their own half. West Ham starting to believe and finding space to cross down the left. Paqueta growing in the game.
36 min: Coufal’s ball is a good one and finds Antonio. The striker does the right thing and heads it down, but it bounces into the turf and loops towards goal. Ramsdale tips it over the bar. Another corner ends with another corner. West Ham pressing.
YELLOW! Arsenal (Partey, 35)
This has been a poor few minutes from Partey. He loses the ball again and runs back to make amends. Instead he commits a reckless foul and is now in the book. West Ham with a chance to lift one in the box from the centre right channel.
Updated
GOAL! West Ham 1-2 Arsenal (Benrahma pen, 34)
Cool as you like. Ramsdale goes to his right. Benrahma slides the ball to his left. From nothing the Hammers have pegged one back.
Updated
31 min: PENALTY FOR WEST HAM! Sloppy from Partey and his pocket is picked by Rice. A square ball to Paqueta is delivered perfectly and the Brazilian leaves a trailing leg that is clipped by a retreating Gabriel. Only thing that could save Arsenal here is a handball from Rice. Nope, check complete. West Ham will have a spot kick!
Updated
31 min: Saka’s in swinging cross is headed away and West Ham break. Antonio stands up to Gabriel but the centre back wins that battle.
30 min: Kehrer lucky not to get booked for a late challenge on Jesus from behind. Maybe the lack of threat saved him but that looked cynical.
28 min: Better from West Ham. Another long ball is cushioned by Antonio’s head and he has it back and is charging down the right flank. It’s out for a throw and West Ham have it back. They go long with a diagonal to Benrahma but he’s offside.
27 min: West Ham look flat. Their centre backs pass a few times before launching a hopeful ball to no one up to. The crowd boo. It’s been pretty dire. No response so far.
26 min: Jesus is deep again. Playing like a No. 10. Xhaka then shifts forward to occupy the striker’s position. White involved down the right as well. There’s a ball over the top down the right but it’s too long. A little rushed for a change.
24 min: Xhaka is all the way back, almost on his own goal line in the corner, defending and securing a throw in for his team. Has there been a more improved player in all of Europe this season?
23 min: Just been pointed out that an Arsenal win would guarantee they finish above Tottenham this season.
22 min: A breather. One we all need, after Bowen is clipped by Partey.
21 min: Paqueta’s loose pass is snaffled by Saka but the West Ham midfielder chases him down and wins it back. Great tenacity there from the Brazilian. Arsenal are back though and a slick back heel pass from Odegaard on the edge of the box almost comes off. That was so close to finding Saka .
19 min: Rather than lift it into a crowded area Rice decides to blast it towards goal from an acute position. It’s too flat to find the top corner and bounces off the mass of humanity. A missed opportunity to hit back.
Updated
18 min: Tierney’s pass is short and Kehrer steps up to intercept. He launches a counter that ends with Antonio driving at the byline around White. He’s past him through pace and power and the Arsenal defender lunges and brings him down. It’s inches from a penalty. Instead it’ll be a free kick in a promising position on the left.
Updated
17 min: Jesus is such a handful. He comes deep to help with link up play and then sprints up the pitch as he lays it off. Tierney finds Xhaka on the charge who brings it back to start again. They’re toying with West Ham.
15 min: Bowen is back to help in defence and takes the ball of Jesus in the corner. But Arsenal recycle and they’re back at West Ham. Partey’s ball forward is repelled but he has it again. Xhaka involved as well. Zouma puts in a mighty challenge though his teammates can’t keep hold of the ball. Arsenal swarming the second they lose it.
13 min: West Ham have a long throw but it fizzles to nothing as Ramsdale collects the second ball. They’re not dead and buried, but the Hammers are in a deep hole.
11 min: That is a perfect start for Arsenal. Jesus is almost in as Odegaard tries to slip him in. Good defending from Zouma on the slide prevents further pain for the home team.
It started with a delicious ball out to Martinelli on the left. He brings it down with the softest touch. His cross with the outside of his right foot doesn’t meet the target but he gets another chance. This one is inch perfect and finds Odegaard at the far post who volleys with the side of his foot into the net. Brilliant.
Updated
GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Arsenal (Odegaard, 10)
Arsenal are on fire! Odegaard at the far post bangs in the second. Lovely football yet again. This is title winning stuff.
Updated
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Arsenal (Jesus, 7)
Beautiful football and Arsenal are in front. It started with a sprayed pass out to the right from Partey to Saka. The winger stood up his man and played a lovely one two White. It comes back to Partey before White is slipped in at the byline. All he has to do is square for Jesus who has a tap in at the far post.
Updated
6 min: Odegaard is buzzing about. He’s driving but only into a dead end so keeps the ball moving after recycling backwards. Nice energy from Arsenal right now.
4 min: Pressure on Gabriel has West Ham win the ball in the far right corner. They struggle to find a space to cross but Bowen eventually gets the ball into an area. There’s a shout for a handball after Holding’s arm is dangled away from his body. But nothin’ doin’.
2 min: A free kick is won inside West Ham territory. It’s from far out but on enough of an angle to cross. Instead they go short. Eventually Martinelli has a chance to cross from the left. His in-swinger is met by Gabriel but he can’t generate any pace on it and it dribbles wide of the far post.
Charles Antaki has some views on Arsenal’s leftbacks:
“Arsenal fans will be in two minds over the loss of Zinchenko; yes, we love seeing Tierney and his up and down, meat-and-potatoes, honest-Joe defending; but on the other hand, when Arteta shouts at him to move to inside-left you fear that all that straightforwardness is going to be a bit of a handicap. On the subtlety stakes, it’s Zinchenko terrific, Tierney not so much.”
Nice problem to have, I’d say.
1 min: West Ham with all the ball so far. They’re looking to go long early. Wonder if that’ll be a pattern as they go on.
PEEEEEEEEP! Away we GO!
“Afternoon Daniel! Stattos only giving Arsenal a 49 percent shout of beating West Ham today? Are those numbers the wrong way round?
Hope you’re well!”
I am well, thanks Rob Wolf Petersen. Hope you are too.
I’m with you. No idea how the number crunchers came up with that. I’d have them as high as 80%. But what do I know…
The bubbles are blowing and the teams are making their way out. West Ham in the splendid claret. Arsenal in a shimmering all black number. Both gorgeous kits.
Both teams playing with a 4-3-3.
“Separated at birth - Mikel Arteta and Action Man?
Is it just me, or does anyone else see the resemblance?
It’s almost as if you could use the doll as his stunt double for interviews; his hair hardly ever changes and it’s the same uniform thickness and colour, he’s not very facially expressive, and there’s that strange fixed ‘deep stare into space’.... could Mikel Arteta be a product of the Palitoy Factory?”
That’s from ‘Alien UK’. I’m the last person to comment on someone’s looks, especially someone as dashing as the Arsenal boss. But yes. He does seem to resemble a famous action figure.
Someone on the Sky build up has just said the words, “Can West Ham deal Arsenal a hammer blow”, or something along those lines.
Should we play a drinking game every time a military or hammer pun is used today? Not me. I’m working. But I’ll happily live vicariously through the rest of you.
Good news for the title run. Bigger fish to fry down the line (with respect to West Ham).
Zinchenko pitchside watching the team - reassures me it’s just a little injury .. not worried #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/kH7e2uqpWL
— Carrie Brown 💙 (@CarrieBrownTV) April 16, 2023
“Let’s hope Rice does his future team mates a favour today”
Says Arsenal fan Julian Vicary. Cheeky.
This is interesting. What are Arsenal’s chances of winning every game til the end of the season? Well someone much smarter than me has done the maths:
Will Arsenal go on and win the Premier League? 🤔
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 16, 2023
📊 Statisticians @GracenoteLive say Man City are favourites.
This is how they rate Arsenal's win chance in their remaining games...#BBCFootball #WHUARS pic.twitter.com/yo0UGqnRTY
“Hey Daniel. An observation on Chris Taberner’s question: I suspect Jesus was delighted to have a chance to resurrect his career at Arsenal having had to bear the cross of playing out of position so often at City. But I didn’t really eggspect it to go quite so well”
No notes, Dean Kinsella. That’s a gem.
Updated
Aaron Ramsdale has rightly received a whole lotta love this campaign. His heroics against Liverpool last time out might prove the difference come the end of the season.
And yet, he’s probably still not getting the recognition he deserves. His manager is keen to change that as Nick Ames reports:
This is a goodie from Eric Peterson:
“Good morning from Pittsburgh! I wonder two things about this early game. First, it might present Arsenal with as un-intimidating an away atmosphere for a major London derby as I can imagine. With what Arsenal endured up at Anfield last weekend, their sterling form away from the Emirates all season, being quite accustomed to playings games under the weight of what’s at stake at this point, West Ham’s current domestic predicament, and the Hammers’ propensity to turn on them if things go wrong, the hostile-crowd factor today just seems like tears on a river to me. Second, if West Ham could only muster 25% possession against Fulham last week, what could that number be today? Single digits?”
Both great points. I don’t want to predict a walkover but if you’re right then we might well get that. The best scenario for the neutrals would be an early goal for West Ham. That would get the crowd going I’m sure.
David Moyes isn’t breathing clean air just yet, but he does have his sights on what’s to come over the horizon.
Jacob Steinberg analyses West Ham’s “low risk” approach and considers a few needed tweaks come the summer:
Plenty of firepower on the bench for the league leaders. Glad to see Nketiah back in the mix. Should things be in the balance late on he could provide a different point of attack. Saka, as he so often is, will be the man to watch. He’ll fancy it today against that West Ham back line.
📝 Here’s how we line up to face West Ham…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2023
💪 Tierney starts at the back
🤙 Gabriel Jesus leads the line
📞 Nketiah returns to the squad pic.twitter.com/05b9FRa9h6
“It’s orthodox Easter here in Greece, what do you think Jesus’s chances are today?”
I’d say that seems like a pretty good omen, Chris Taberner.
Here’s the much maligned (according to Twitter) Hammers team. Lucas Paqueta is back after missing last week’s win over Fulham. Only Gianluca Scamacca is missing so this is as good a squad as Moyes could select. Hammers fans, what seems to be the problem?
Today's Hammers! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/SvrlCD0MWB
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 16, 2023
Team news
Dipping one’s toes into the murky waters of social media is never good for the soul. But the chat on Twitter is often a good barometer regarding a team’s line-up.
On that front, some vocal Hammers fans aren’t happy with today’s side, especially at the back where things look a little leggy I have to admit. Still, a free swing given the teams around West Ham have lost points.
West Ham: Fabianksi, Coufal, Kehrer, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice (c), Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma.
Replacements: Areola, Anang, Johnson, Downes, Cornet, Emerson, Fornals, Lanzini, Ings.
There’s plenty of chat around the Gunners as well. Tierney starts with Jesus leading the line. Nketiah makes is return to the squad with Zinchenko missing out with a tight groin. Otherwise it’s a strong looking team. A title winning team, even.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Replacements: Turner, Walters, Kiwior, Jorginho, Veira, Smith Rowe, Torssard, Nelson, Nketiah.
Preamble
This is exciting, isn’t it? Even if you’re not a fan of Arsenal or Manchester City, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the drama of a proper title race. And that’s exactly what we have here. A bonafide sprint to the finish where every kick of the ball now drips with meaning and everything is at stake.
City, the T-1000 football machine, whirred with precision for half an hour before spluttering at the end yesterday. Still, they were emphatic 3-1 victors over struggling Leicester.
That means the onus is on Arsenal as they travel across London to take on West Ham knowing that only a win will suffice.
In fact, win all their games from here and they’ll be crowned champions. No need to worry about the fact that one of those games is at the Etihad. That’s a bridge that’ll need crossing another day. For now, it’s a London derby, one that has brought them joy over the years.
Arsenal haven’t lost away to West Ham since January 2019 in a season where they finished outside the top four. That feels like a distant memory. This is a wholly different outfit.
The Hammers return from a Thursday night trip to Belgium where they drew 1-1 with Gent. Though not quite mired in a relegation scrap, they’ll be looking over their shoulder in 15th. A draw would probably do David Moyes just fine today.
My name is Daniel. Delighted as ever to be here with you. If you fancy getting in touch drop me an email or send over a tweet. I promise I read them all.
Kick off at 2pm BST. Teams and build up to follow.
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