Despite the loads of new players (and the two managers) that have changed from last season’s meeting here, the game panned out pretty much the same in the first half, with Monreal and Arnautovic giving us a 1-1 draw at half-time. The West Ham goal exposed the lack of organisation of our defence again but Arnautovic took his chance admirably with a brilliant shot that eluded Cech.
Monreal went straight down the other end and yet another shot across Fabianski’s goal came luckily to our Left-back who calmly controlled and smashed it into the net.
Arsenal, as usual, had all the possession but could not make it count and Aubameyang kept trying to cut through the Hammers defence but with no luck. But Snodgrass yet again nearly gave West Ham the lead just before the break.
Emery decided to bring on Lacazette in place of Iwobi at half time for more penetration but Mustafi came closest in the next 15 minutes and it was end to end with Arnautovic nearly getting a second.
Lacazette nearly put us ahead on the hour mark, but it was 20 minutes later when he finally contributed to our lead when his wishful shot into the box came off Diop to give us a way past Fabianski at last. 2-1 to the Arsenal and we should be on our way to the three points.
It was definitely exciting stuff and end to end but Aubameyang hjust couldn’t quite get his goal and with 15 minutes to go Emery took him off for Welbeck. With 7 minutes to go Ramsey connected brilliantly and the ball flew towards Fabianski’s corner but the ex-Gunner was equal to it again.
The last ten minutes was very physical with cards going out left right and centre but Arsenal stood firm and when Danny Welbeck put the game to bed in added time after another Bellerin centre, the Gunners got a well-deserved and much needed three points.
Onwards and Upwards!