Arsenal finally managed to get their first points of the season as the Gunners defeated West Ham United 3-1. Marko Arnautovic gave West Ham the lead but Arsenal came back from behind to get the better of their London rivals.
West Ham
Fabianski 7
Made a couple of decent stops to deny Mustafi and Lacazette. There was not much he could do about any of the goals though. Made another good stop after Ramsey released a rocket from outside the box.
Fredericks 8
Was probably one of the best players on the pitch for West Ham. Made one notable block to deny Aaron Ramsey. Offered some help offensively as well when required.
Balbuena 6
Looked a bit sloppy on the ball. Passing was not great, and doesn’t look like the new centre half partnership has settled well so far.
Diop 6
Was on debut for the Hammers. Did not look like he was having a bad game until his poor clearance led to an own goal by him. The goal put Arsenal on the front foot at a crucial point in the game.
Masuaku 7
Worked very well in both halves on the left flank. Offered a lot defensively and tried to create chances offensively, but didn’t get much help from his team-mates.
Wilshere 5
Very poor game. A much better performance was expected on his return to The Emirates. Was not able to create chances nor was effective on the defensive end. Got booked as well.
Snodgrass 6
Looked threatening at times in front of the vulnerable Arsenal defence, but could not convert any opportunity. One in particular, when Arnautovic left the ball for him for a one-on-one with Petr Cech but he hit it straight into the ‘keepers hands.
Antonio 6
Bellerin failed to track back after offensive moves on a number of occasions leaving the defence open but Antonio could not take as much advantage as he would have hoped to.
Anderson 8
Very composed on the ball. Created many chances throughout the game but did not get much support from the team. Got the assist for Arnautovic’s opener.
Arnautovic 8
Walked into the game as the captain and led well giving his team an early lead away from home. Was causing problems for Mustafi and Sokratis before being forced off the field due to an injury.
Substitutes
Chicharito 5
Came on to replace Arnautovic but simply couldn’t offer the same level of threat. Never looked like he would score and made things easy for Sokratis and Mustafi.
Yarmolenko 6
Was not seen much except for that one moment late in the game where Perez’ cross had just a little too much making it unreachable for Yarmolenko.
Perez 5
Did not have much to do in the game. Got one notable chance, but chose to cross instead of going for goal. And the cross was dreadful.
Arsenal
Cech 7
Much better performance than the last two games were he struggled everytime he had the ball at his feet.
Bellerin 8
Was involved in almost every Arsenal attacking move started from the right flank. Had an important hand in Monreal’s equaliser and also got the assist for Welbeck’s third.
Mustafi 6
Was much better in the second-half but was left exposed by Arnautovic and Anderson a number of times in the first-half.
Sokratis 6
Still not looking very comfortable yet. Arnautovic’s shot went through his legs for the first goal. Made some decent blocks in the second-half though.
Monreal 7
Got bullied by Snodgrass and was not very good defensively, but was always on the up on the left flank. Also scored Arsenal’s equaliser that brought them back in the game.
Xhaka 6
First-half was average but his game improved massively in the second-half after Lucas Torreira came on. Could have helped defensively in the first-half though.
Guendouzi 6
Could not create much but the energy was unmatchable again. Always looking to bring himself in to the game. The kind of energy every manager would want his players to have.
Ramsey 6
Was a bit wasteful in the first-half but got into the game a lot more after Torreira and Lacazette came on. Forced a very good save from Fabianski after attempting a really good shot from outside the box.
Iwobi 6
Was doing his part and constantly trying in the first half. Got taken off at half time and was replaced by Alexandre Lacazette.
Aubameyang 6
Did not get a lot of chances in the first half. Created one for Ramsey though, which he could not finish. Had a very good 10 minute spell after Lacazette and Torreira came on but was subbed off, unfortunately.
Mkhitaryan 6
Was trying a lot but West Ham got the better of him every time. Passing was not quite upto his level. Had a fairly average game.
Substitutes
Lacazette 8
Made a lot of difference after coming on. Arsenal threatened West Ham much more after him coming on and it was his work that led to Issa Diop’s own goal.
Torreira 7
It is hard to understand why this guy is not starting games for Arsenal. The Gunners looked a different team after he came on. Positioning and passing was brilliant.
Welbeck 7
Did not get a lot of minutes but used his time well. Scored the third goal for Arsenal that sealed the three points for Unai Emery’s men.
