A RAMPANT ARSENAL...?

Les Brown is quoted as saying “the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory”.

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While it is understandable that the strength of your opposition serves as a litmus test on your own formidability, it is not inexcusable to conclude that fans of the once impeccable team that succeeded in clinching the only golden trophy in Premier League history, would be ecstatic with a win irrespective of the caliber of their opponents. About 2 decades of unprofessional and emotional decisions by the management of the 3rd most decorated team in English football history has eventually culminated in Arsenal falling from an exalted position to that of ridicule and none has borne this more than the loyal and, dare I say, now-humbled fans.

Arsenal's opponents of the night, the Hammers on the other hand have been on an upward trajectory...at least for the last 16 months. Beating this season’s title challengers like the high-flying Anfield boys and the current champions of Europe have emboldened pundits to place Westham United above Arsenal FC in the race to clinch a Champions League spot. This game at the Emirates was therefore imperative to test how far both teams had come and are willing to go.

Arsenal's starting eleven was similar to that which the coach, Mikel Arteta put out against Southampton while Westham brought in Pablo Fornals to replace Said Benraham, with their coach, the tactical David Moyes attesting that the change was to add energy to The Hammers and limit their opponents from scoring the kind of “perfect” goal, which they did against The Saints.

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It was a London derby and the match was characterized by everything that made it a high-intensity match with high stakes. And while an optimist might overstate the potency and capacity of The Gunners, a pessimist much like myself, saw a tired Hammers side that was further demoralized by officiating errors. It is not alien to see a weak fighter having an emphatic victory once the opponent is incapacitated.

The midfield duo of Granith Xhaka and Thomas Partey seemed elevated beyond their recent performances due to the opponent’s midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Thomas Soucek, which had been beleaguered by consistent travels for games both in the EPL as well as in the Europa League and also troubled by their defensive incapacity following recent injuries to the solid defensive unit of Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna as well as Ben Johnson. In fact, it is fair to say The Gunners met a B-team defence-wise.

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It would however be remiss not to give the young Arsenal boys guided by the recently enthusiastic striker/captain, Alexandra Lacazette plaudits, because it's as they say, “you can only beat what’s in front of you”. Saka seemed to terrorize a lackluster Arthur Masuaku and Vladimir Coufal had been shackled by a cheap booking in the eleventh minute, which gave Gabrielle Martinelli all the leeway needed to terrorize the center backs. It is also poignant to mention that Westham had achieved a lot against the big boys this season in front of home fans and with a terrible record away to the Gunners, a betting man would expect one of Arsenal’s better performances at the Emirates, which is gradually becoming a fortress for The Gunners. In the end, the landlords of the Emirates ran out 2-0 winners, with their fans rightly singing the “Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe” song and chanting “come on you gunners”. It is one of the few joys that makes an Arsenal fan and while it is too early to conclude, it is forgivable to see a fan base enjoy the little wins.

Arsenal currently occupies the fourth position, replacing an injury-ladened Westham United team which they just bested. The question is, for how long?

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