There’s some uncomfortable truth for Arsenal supporters in this article along with some frustration from me. There is just not enough player effort, not just with this game, it’s across multiple games. What’s actually required to win is player effort with purpose, with the whole team having purpose and a manager with purpose.
We can cover it up, but it won’t help next season. We are repeating mistakes and the attitude of the club needs addressing if we want a chance of winning the Premier League. If we want to finish 2nd this season, then don’t change anything as I’m sure 2nd is realistic.
Remember, we had 2 shots on target – last game scraped past a poor Leicester City side who we made look good, but the thing is, the Hammers aren’t a top side, imo. This was a must win game. Neville said some truth in his rigid comments, but we get stroppy when it’s said – we only score via corners and Saka. There’s truth in there.
A snippet from the boss:
“We’re no where near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win a Premier League game today”.
“At this level it’s not enough, you have to deliver and it has to be a lot of quality to break a really good team down to win many more duels than we have done and put actions that can end up in really threatening moments for the positions to win the game, and we haven’t done it”.
As a club that didn’t deliver in the window when we needed a striker – i.e. Randal Kolo Muani – doesn’t look like his attitude is stopping him scoring!
Gabriel Magalhaes – 4
The Brazilian defender has been decisive in both boxes so many times this season, but he did not push the fine margins in favour of his team in this game. He was caught in the corridor of uncertainty for Bowen’s goal before he skewed a shot off target from close range at the end of the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori – 4
Calafiori earned his first league start for the team since the start of January and reflected some rust in his display off the ball. Wan-Bissaka beat him too easily down the line twice (including for the goal) and a lack of coordination at the far post with Gabriel gave Bowen the room to try and get his brace.
Declan Rice – 5
Rice rotated to the right side of the pitch effectively sometimes to offer an option ahead of Odegaard. But his all-action approach to the game did not offer much of an impact against his old club. The midfielder must also hold up his hands as Bowen drifted off his back to steer a header into the net.
Martin Odegaard – 4
In a time of need, Arsenal are crying out for the captain to carry the offense. But the orchestrator again appeared to be off rhythm. While he has never been a natural shooter of the ball, Odegaard’s creative passing rarely revealed an open door. His short free kick to Saliba summed up a disappointing day.
Enjoy your week and hope you are happy with the effort, execution, tactics and squad. I’m not but enough said. Sorry if i’ve annoyed Arsenal supporters.
Written by SY4 February 24 2025 11:56:21
