West Ham vs Arsenal | 2022/23 PL | Three Very Crucial Things Learnt

We learnt three things as Arsenal suffered a huge setback in their title hopes as West Ham United came back from two goals down to steal a point at the London stadium. The Gunners squandered a 2-0 lead for the second consecutive game, settling for a 2-2 draw against the Hammers.

West Ham United, Arsenal — Image Obtained via Arsenal

Despite a strong start that saw Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard score within the first ten minutes, the North London side failed to maintain their momentum after a penalty kick by Said Benrahma shifted the balance of the game.

2+ – Arsenal have given up a two-goal lead in consecutive Premier League games for the first time; they are only the fifth side in the competition's history to do so. Pressure. pic.twitter.com/YTHONCVisJ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2023

The turning point came when Bukayo Saka missed a crucial penalty kick that would have put Arsenal up 3-1 early in the second half. Shortly after, Jarrod Bowen scored for the hosts, leveling the game at 2-2 and giving the Hammers the upper hand in the latter stages of the match.

1. Gabriel Jesus Turning Out To Be A Steal For Arsenal

The acquisition of the Brazilian player from Manchester City for a price of £45m was initially seen as a clever move, and as time goes by, it appears to be an even more astute decision. Jesus displayed his scoring prowess once again in the match against the Hammers. However, what truly caught the attention of fans and experts was his exceptional all-around performance.

Gabriel Jesus’ last 3 Premier League games:

⚽⚽ vs. Leeds
⚽ vs. Liverpool
⚽ vs. West Ham

Instant impact. 💥 pic.twitter.com/ZOWgCXPDvu

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 16, 2023

The 26-year-old striker demonstrated an extraordinary ability to hold the ball and exhibited a willingness to drop back and distribute passes even when facing significant opposition pressure, all for the benefit of his team.

2. Thomas Partey’s Error Let West Ham Back Into The Game

As one of the most seasoned players at Arsenal, it’s difficult to comprehend why the Ghanaian player made the error that led to the first goal for West Ham. This has led to rumours after the game that Declan Rice should be a transfer target for Arsenal next season to replace the error-prone Partey.

Partey’s attempt to nonchalantly flick the ball past Declan Rice was ill-advised, and the English player capitalised on the opportunity by dispossessing him. Following that incident, it’s safe to say that the Ghanaian never fully regained his composure, and his teammates also struggled to regain control of the game.

3. Saka Unlucky To Miss Penalty In Crucial Game

Bukayo Saka had the opportunity to give the Gunners a 3-1 lead early in the second half. However, the English winger failed to convert his penalty kick and sent the ball wide of the goalpost, squandering a crucial chance to secure the win for his team.

It’s important to note that the 21-year-old’s spotless record from the penalty spot had been impeccable until the game against the Hammers. He had successfully converted all four of his previous penalties for Arsenal, which included matches against formidable opponents such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man United. Therefore, it’s unfair to criticize Saka for one miss, especially given the pressure he faced during those previous games.

Expressing his disappointment, Mikel Arteta acknowledged that their strong start to the game gave them complete control, but Arsenal lost their attacking impetus and allowed West Ham to come back. The team’s failure to capitalise on their opportunities and conceding a penalty added to their struggles.

Despite making changes in the second half, Arsenal failed to make an impact, and the missed opportunity to score a penalty when they were up 2-1 proved to be a turning point in the match against West Ham. As a result of the defeat, the team’s lead over Man City has been reduced to four points, with the Cityzens still having a game in hand.

The North London side certainly have a chance to extend their lead to seven points by beating Southampton but their upcoming match against Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium is crucial for the Premier League title race.

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