There was good noise from the home crowd early on, cheers when Lucas Paquetá got an early challenge in on Bukayo Saka, the crowd hoping no doubt he is as engaged and effective as last time out. Early corners for Arsenal with West Ham on the defensive. Second corner and it was 1-0 Arsenal with ten minutes gone, Gabriel heading in from the kick as Paquetá was nudged gently out of the way at the front post.
Now the response would be crucial: Were The Hammers going to cave-in like last last time? The riposte 5 minutes later was a goal from Summerville, lobbing the keeper in a one-on-one but ruled out, correctly for being about half a yard off side. Got the crowd going though.
Interestingly, Arsenal repeat the same corner routine and again Paquetá is pushed off the header at the front post. No help from the referee, West Ham need front post reinforcements to combat that ‘dark art’. Where’s the defensive coach shouting instructions?
Arsenal’s second after 26 minutes: Odegard dinking a pass over the defence via Saka and Trossard walking the ball into the net. This is going to be a very long 90 minutes.
West Ham already looking lack-lustre and without the zip and energy of Monday. Paquetá hangs a leg out at Saka and a penalty is granted, This will be game over game over after 32 minutes. Odegaard makes it three. Gary Neville agrees with me, ‘game over’. The camera zooms on Lopetegui in the gods who looks like he wants to walk as the fourth goes in. Paquetá gifting possession leading to Havertz scoring on a one-on-one.
If I could switch channel I would. This could be a cricket score. I don’t think West Ham have even had the ball in the opposition box. And then – a gem sparkling like an engagement ring in a dog turd ( I’ll explain that one day).. Carlos Soler threads a through ball to the running Wan-Bissaka who fires in low. A goal back and something to cheer about.
Suddenly a ‘world’ free kick from Emerson nestles in the top corner and its 2-4. Do we believe? Briefly.
Right on half time Fabianski’s failed punch from a corner – his fist glancing into an Arsenal head-gifts another penalty to Arsenal. Saka this time to make it 5-2. And that has deflated the Hammers’ recovery. All this and it is just half time. Frankly, giving away five goals in a half is a bit pathetic.
Alvarez on for Summerville. God help us, how long will he stay yellow card-free I wonder. Gary Neville told us West Ham were now playing with diamond midfield formation.
The crowd cheered -possibly ironically- when finally Todibo laid a tackle on Trossard after nearly 60 minutes. The intensity had gone from the game, West Ham labouring but to no avail. Antonio withdrawn for Ings, Emerson off for Coufal. Found myself deeply envious of those London Stadium fans who’d gone home at half time. Saka and Odegaard withdrawn seemed to signal the end of Arsenal’s goal ambitions.
A bit of huffing and puffing by the Hammers -there was still time for Ings to miss after rounding the keeper and sliding the ball across the goal – could not hide the fact that in every department, West Ham were a very lowly second best. and are only competing for at best a mid-table finish.
