The Arsenal started the matchday 34 against their East London, and fellow contenders for European spots for the next season, rivals West Ham with the result of a previous matches on Sunday moving them down a position from the much-coveted Champions League top four. A more surprising result of another match opened up the tantalizing (if less likely) possibility of fighting not just for top four but even the third position in the league table come the end of May.   

The West Ham team in recent years, since David Moyes took over the managerial reigns at the club for the second time, has undergone an impressive transformation into a consistent Premier League performer. The Scotsman’s trademark efficiency and tactical discipline, familiar from his Everton days, is complemented by attacking nuances that underline his managerial evolution. Our own manager — who was of course a linchpin of Moyes’s Everton team and their creative fulcrum – Mikel Arteta has been going through his own rapid evolution both as a tactician and a man manager, and most of us have been happy to ride the transformational journey of our own club along with him and this emerging group of spirited, talented, promising young players.

While this season has been marked by the inevitable inconsistencies that characterize a youthful team, the overall trend curve has shown a steady upward movement especially in the second half of the season. If the three subpar performances and resulting losses against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton threatened to push the team back in its evolutionary journey, the invigorating wins against Chelsea and Manchester United leading up to this London derby provided a timely boost to the team and the fanbase alike.

The return of Takehiro Tomiyasu – one of our most consistent performers of the season, providing defensive solidity and tactical versatility – in the right-back position after a lengthy injury lay-off was a boost too for the team, especially as that ensures that the chaotic forces of our other full-back – and I say this fondly, for I think despite the rawness of his talents Nuno Tavares is a very promising player who can grow up to be a real asset for the team and more than capable deputy for Kieran Tierney – is counterbalanced by our right back’s inscrutable composure. There was one more change in the defensive line-up, Rob Holding earning a rare league start to partner Gabriel in place of Benjamin White suffering from some (one hopes) minor muscular struggles. In front of the defense the only change was Gabriel Martinelli coming back for Emile Smith-Rowe. The collective whirlwind of Tavares – Martinelli together on the left flank is a somewhat unusual choice for Mikel who prefers his shapes down the wings to be meticulously structured, and it was going to be instructive whether Martinelli could control his natural impulses and provide a more organized protection when Nuno inevitably lost his compass.

Ramsdale

Tomiyasu – Holding – Gabriel – Tavares

Elneny – Xhaka

Saka – Ødegaard – Martinelli

Nketiah

In pre-match interviews Arteta had alluded to our misadventures last season away at West Ham when we had rapidly conceded three first half goals, and probably mindful of that history the team started very cautiously, focusing on a very compact distance between the lines and leaving no spaces for the West Ham wingers and fullbacks to get drive into to deliver crosses. Saka tried to isolate the West Ham left back a few times and then cut back in the typical fashion, but there was very little space allowed by their defense; neither were there the quick switches of play or movement from others we needed to open up spaces. After two eye-catching performances of vertical and progressive midfield passing from Xhaka and Elneny in the last two matches they reverted more towards their steady safety-first possession recycling. Martinelli, while ensuring Tavares had both a cover as well as a passing outlet on the left, was rather subdued in an attacking sense.

Eddie Nketiah, since he has been brought in place of Lacazette in the starting line-up, has demonstrated the value of rapid movements and pace in the central striker role. He doesn’t quite have the technical abilities of his attacking peers, but his willingness to chase seemingly lost causes have definite advantages especially in an otherwise tight, and let us be honest quite turgid, match like this. His curled attempt at goal was palmed away by the ex-gunner Fabianski. From the resulting corner by Saka, Rob Holding outjumped his marker and finished with a smart flicked header reminiscent of his mentor Per Mertesacker’s odd goals in red-and-white. This was Holding’s first Premier League goal, and his ecstatic celebration with his teammates was well deserved for a loyal and consistent servant of the club. He was putting in a composed display at the heart of the defense as well with a few well-timed blocks and clearances.

West Ham 0 – Arsenal 1 (Holding 38’)

West Ham ratcheted up their attacking intensity and almost immediately got an equalizer as Ramsdale was forced into an acrobatic stop to push away Rice’s header. While Tomiyasu was keeping Benrahma relatively quiet, the more accomplished duo of Coufal and Fornals were finding it easier to ping in crosses from our left side, and from one such clever low cross from Coufal Bowen’s shot on target – but probably to be saved by Ramsdale – received a deflection significant enough to find the net.

West Ham 1 (Bowen 45’) – Arsenal 1 (Holding 38’)

The first half was a drab affair, and the second half carried on pretty much the same vein, despite West Ham starting the half with a more visible show of intent.  There were again some good defensive efforts by Holding and Tomiyasu, but we were more or less toothless in attack; even when, through our movement and playing between the lines, we were threatening our uncharacteristically poor passing and close control let us down quite a few times. Ramsdale provided the most memorable moment of that first part of the second half when he came out flying as a sweeper-keeper to clear out a long ball from West Ham that had beaten our advanced defensive line, and seemed in the process to have clattered Bowen who was giving the chase. But the replay confirmed that our goalkeeper didn’t touch the West Ham midfielder who got a yellow for his simulation. A rare good decision in our favor from the most unlikeliest of sources. 

Soon after our two Brazilians combined to get us the match winning goal. Saka, cutting in from the right, brought out a fine save from Fabianski on his near post. West ham defense failed to clear Saka’s corner out of danger, Martinelli showed nice control and composure to send an accurate lofted cross back towards the far post and Gabriel’s goalbound header ricocheted off of Fabianski into the net.

West Ham 1 (Bowen 45’) – Arsenal 2 (Holding 38’, Gabriel 54’)

Nketiah had a few more attempts, one of them was from a sumptuous Elneny through ball that he curled just wide of the post. Fabianski made a couple of more saves from Eddie. West Ham brought in Soucek, Antonio and then Yarmolenko, Tomiyasu had to be replaced (for what later Mikel clarified to be just muscle fatigue which is understandable given how long he has been absent from matchday action), Sambi came in for Ødegaard to close out the match and almost got himself a goal (but maybe should have just kept possession in those dying moments), Eddie got into a mad bit of kerfuffle with a few West Ham players, and Arsenal saw out the match with a degree of “streetwise” that is not always associated with the current incarnation of the team.

A subpar performance but a well-deserved victory leading us back to the fourth position on the league table. Among all the other London clubs involved in the fights for the European spots I personally dislike West Ham the least – and in Yarmolenko, Coufal & Soucek they have players that when playing for their respective international teams I would often find myself cheering – and wish them well in their second leg of the Europa semi.

Now, having secured three consecutive victories against three very tough competitors in this most crucial part of the season it is paramount that we do not lose our advantage before the north London derby and go to that match couple of weeks from now on the back of four consecutive wins, and not take Leeds lightly at all at Emirates next weekend despite their recent struggles. A victory in that match would significantly improve our chances to get back to the Champions League, which would be a truly remarkable achievement for this young team and manager learning as they grow.

Arsenal followed up their excellent victory at Chelsea in midweek with an equally impressive win over fellow top 4 challengers, Manchester United. The Gunners came into the game knowing a win would take them into fourth, above Tottenham at least for a few hours. Mikel Arteta made just one change from Wednesday’s win, with Cedric returning at right back in place of Rob Holding. Paul Pogba was United’s only notable absentee. On three minutes, we made the dream start. Granit Xhaka whipped in a diagonal cross from the left, Raphael Varane swung at the ball and missed it, Telles did the same and it found its way to Saka who cut inside on his left and saw his shot parried by De Gea but only as far as Nuno Tavares who gleefully tapped home for his first Arsenal goal. 1-0 to The Arsenal!

This served as a wake-up call to United as they began to gain a foothold. Anthony Elanga burst through on goal but a combination of Tavares and Ramsdale thwarted the youngster. A few minutes later, United intercepted a very poor pass out from the back from Ramsdale and the ball found its way to Bruno Fernandes and if it wasn’t for an excellent block from Gabriel the goalkeeper may well have been left with egg on his face. His dip in form is slightly concerning but I still don’t think he’s droppable just yet. 

Arsenal then began to reassume their dominance as we threatened to double our lead. Odegaard sent Nketiah through on goal after some scintillating interchange in the midfield, but he smashed his shot straight at De Gea. But Eddie wasn’t to be denied for long. Another incisive pass from Odegaard found Saka who squared it to Nketiah who took a touch and smashed the ball past De Gea. But following the celebrations there was a VAR check which adjudged the striker to have been marginally offside when the ball was played to him. Harsh. But wait! During the review a foul from Telles on Saka was also being checked. This occurred before the goal meaning any foul would result in a penalty. After Craig Pawson checked the pitch side monitor, he pointed to the spot. So, no goal for Arsenal but we had the fall back of a spot kick. Once again, Saka stepped up to take it. He calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner sending De Gea the wrong way. A mature penalty. 

Merely two minutes later, our lead was halved as Nemanja Matic floated a cross to the back post, Ronaldo ghosted in between Tavares and Gabriel to poke the ball past Ramsdale who was in No Man’s Land. 2-1. We were able to navigate our way to the break without any further hiccups. As the second half began, we began to see a United resurgence. The visitors dominated possession and nearly found themselves level when Dalot was sent through, but his fierce shot was tipped onto the post by Ramsdale. An excellent save. A few minutes later, Manchester United were given a golden chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after Tavares handled following a corner. It was a definite penalty. Bruno Fernandes, a man with the most punchable face in the league, and possibly the universe, stepped up to take it. He tried to be clever with his silly little hop, skip and jump routine but it backfired when he saw his spot kick dribble onto the outside of the post. Get in! I was watching this game in a pub in central Manchester surrounded by some of the most Mancunian Mancunians you could ever meet, and you could honestly hear a pin drop. Apart from a loud shout of “get in!” That was me, obviously. Hands down my favourite moment of the season so far. 

That penalty miss really knocked the stuffing out of United and Arsenal began to regain their composure by playing a game of keep ball, sapping up all of the visitors momentum and spirit. They really did look a disjointed side. Yesterday they announced that Erik Ten Hag will be taking over in the summer from Ajax and he really does have a huge rebuilding job on his hands. I look forward to watching them suffer the absolute dross we’ve been subjected to in the last few years. They really are in for a shock if they think they can just offload all their detritus in one go. You can’t sell something nobody wants as we found with Ozil and Kolasinac and countless others. We won’t tell them. It will be funny to watch the meltdown on Twitter when they can’t comprehend why no one wants to pay £50 million of the Queen’s finest for Phil Jones. I’ll send them a postcard from the Bernabeu when we get there. Although I’m not sure it will get to Kazakhstan in time for their Conference League crunch match with Kairat Almaty at 3pm on a Thursday afternoon. I digress. We made sure of the points with twenty minutes to go when Xhaka cashed in on his annual howitzer against Man United from twenty-five yards out. He really has been excellent in the last two games as has Elneny. Credit where it is due. 

From that point we saw the game out comfortably. There was a nice moment near the end when Tomiyasu came on for last moments. It turns out he is alive after all. I honestly did wonder if I had simply imagined his existence for a while. Hopefully he stays fit for the final five games because we’re going to need him. But it was another fantastic victory against a Big Six side. I would love to know the last time we beat two Big Six sides back-to-back. I would be willing to put a decent amount of money on it being pre-Emirates era. It really does flatten the myth Arteta’s sides can’t win big games. 

The win puts Arsenal in fourth on 60 points. We go to another top four rival next Sunday, this time at West Ham. Hopefully we can end their already slim top four hopes as well. Onwards and upwards we go.

COYG!

Arsenal reignited their top four push with a stunning 4-2 victory away at the Bus Stop thanks to an unexpected brace from Eddie Nketiah, a fine finish from Emile Smith Rowe, and a stoppage time penalty from Bukayo Saka. The Gunners came into this game having lost their last three in the league leaving their champions league hopes hanging in the balance but despite some early mistakes, Mikel Arteta’s youthful side held out for a hugely impressive win at the home of the European champions. 

Arteta made several changes to the side whIch limped to defeat at Southampton on Saturday, with Rob Holding coming in for Cedric and Ben White forced to fill in at right back. Elneny was given a rare start in midfield in favour of Lokonga, and Smith Rowe came in for Martinelli. Chelsea also had a couple of key players missing; both Rudiger and Kovacic were injured in their FA Cup semi-final win over Palace meaning Malang Sarr and Ruben Loftus-Cheek both got rare starts. 

Arsenal began the game nervously, as you might expect from a side whIch had lost their last three games to mid-table sides. Chelsea had the lion’s share of possession and had a couple of half chances with Lukaku, who seemed to be doing his best impression of a lamppost, dragging an effort wide from the edge of the box and Marcos Alonso had an effort deflected wide from a corner. But it was Arsenal who found the breakthrough on thirteen minutes against the run of play as Tavares hoofed the ball upfield towards Nketiah to chase down Christensen, whose weak back pass allowed Eddie to pounce as he got to the ball ahead of Sarr and slotted the ball clinically past Mendy into the bottom corner. Nketiah was of course in Chelsea’s academy before being released in 2015 when he was quickly snapped up by Arsenal. The south Londoner showed Chelsea what they were missing as he peeled away to celebrate in front of the reduced Chelsea crowd. He looked like he enjoyed that one. 

The away fans were having a blast with taunts of “Just like the old days, there’s nobody here”. Due to Roman Abramovic being mates with everyone’s favourite autocrat, they had been sanctioned and only season ticket holders and away fans were permitted entry. However, Chelsea quickly found a response. Nketiah conceded possession with his back to goal and Timo Werner latched onto the ball and saw his tame shot deflected in by Granit Xhaka. Perhaps Aaron Ramsdale could’ve done better but in fairness he was unsighted by three Arsenal players. All things considered, it was a poor goal to concede especially so soon after taking the lead. 

But just ten minutes later, the Gunners restored their lead! And what a goal it was. Chelsea lost possession in our box, as the ball bobbled around precariously and the much-maligned Xhaka took a risk as he opted to play the ball out himself, brilliantly nutmegging Alonso before playing a lovely pass to Odegaard who was again given the captain’s armband. The Norwegian worked it to Saka who drove forward before feeding our number eight again to play yet another delicious ball to ESR who took it first time on the run, arrowing the ball into the far corner for his tenth premier league goal of the campaign. The Croydon De Bruyne has now scored against half the premier league this season. 

You would think that after previously surrendering the lead so quickly Arsenal would be sensible and attempt to play it safe until the break but of course we don’t do sensible here at Arsenal. Just five minutes later, the Blues were level again. And again, it was all very avoidable. Ben White lost possession on our right-hand side and Mason Mount curled in a delicious cross to Azpilicueta who nipped in ahead of Tavares to poke the ball home. There were some appeals for a foul on White, but it would’ve been harsh to rule it out despite how hilarious it would’ve been. 2-2.  We continued to attack and Nketiah had a snapshot from outside the box that curled just wide and then the referee blew for half time. It had been a pulsating first half with both sides abandoning the concept of defending it seemed. 

Chelsea brought on Thiago Silva for Christensen who had been run ragged by our front three in the first half. Would the presence of the Brazilian keep the Gunners out? Thankfully for Arsenal the answer was “No!” Despite Chelsea dominating the early stages of the second half, they struggled to create. On 57 minutes Tavares intercepted the ball on halfway. He drove forward and fed Nketiah who attempted to turn away from Silva, but he got a foot in as the ball bounced into the area off Sarr and back to Nketiah, then back off Silva again, then back to Nketiah who poked the ball past Mendy into the net. Arsenal were ahead for a third time, and it was 3-2! The away fans went crazy behind the goal, as did Arteta and his staff on the touchline. The goal was fortunate but deserved.

Now, could Arsenal stay ahead this time? Chelsea continued to dominate. Tuchel took off £100milion lamppost Lukaku for £80 million twig, Havertz. Chelsea pressed, Reece James pinging a cross into the box, Ramsdale cut it out, a Chelsea player got a shot off but Gabriel who had his best game for a while, made an excellent block. Other than that Chelsea created little. Mason Mount then went full Ryan Shawcross/Matt Taylor/Dan Smith on Saka, the ref only gave him a yellow as Mason Mount plays for England. Unfortunately, the fact that Saka also plays for England doesn’t seem to get him much protection from referees. He does commit the deadly sin of playing for Dirty Arsenal I suppose. Arteta brought on Martinelli and Cedric as we looked to close the game out. We had a couple of half chances on the break with Martinelli, and then on 89 minutes Cedric put a ball in the box and Saka was pulled down every which way by the rat faced Azpilicueta and Jonathon Moss had no option but to point to the spot. The Spaniard protested his innocence and there was a bit of a scuffle before the penalty was taken, probably tactical to put us off. It didn’t. Saka confidently took the ball and put it on the spot. It was his first penalty since the final of the European championships in the summer, so it was a huge moment. In fact, it was the first penalty he’d taken in a competitive game for Arsenal. But he stepped up and sent Mendy the wrong way slamming the ball into the bottom corner. Cue more wild celebrations behind the goal. Limbs, as the kids say. Arteta then brought on Lacazette for the final seconds, probably for a laugh, and the game was won.

Back-to-back wins at the Bridge and our run of three defeats was over in some style. We are now level on points with the Scum with six games remaining. We now have another huge game against the Mancs on Saturday lunchtime where an Arsenal win would send us three points clear in fourth for a few hours at least and would likely end United’s already slim top four chances. But a crucial win for the Arsenal against the ownerless Chavs and just like the old days, Arsenal battered Chelsea and there was nobody there. 

COYG