Freddie Ljungberg’s stuttering Arsenal side picked up a crucial 3-1 victory against West Ham United at the London Stadium, to put an end to their calamitous eight-game winless streak. Although the Gunners showed no signs of improvement in the first half, they came back looking like a different team in the second. It was clear that Freddie Ljungberg’s half-time team talk had worked, as goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang secured a much-needed win for Arsenal Football Club and their fans.
Here are the Arsenal players rated in their 3-1 win over West Ham United.
Bernd Leno – 6
The German didn’t have too much to do in terms of making saves throughout the tie but was helpless with the West Ham goal. His distribution was on point in the second half.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6.5
The youngster was brought into the side after Hector Bellerin picked up an injury during the warm-up. He did well in the second period as the Gunners began to take control.
Calum Chambers – 6
Although the Englishman didn’t have a good first half at all, he came back and put in a much better showing in the second period. Played a couple of neat balls out as well.
Sokratis – 5.5
The centre-half never looks comfortable playing out from the back and gave the ball away on multiple occasions in the first half. Did well to maintain composure in the second period though.
Kieran Tierney – N/A
Although the full-back started the fixture, he was taken off with an injured shoulder less than half an hour into the game.
Lucas Torreira – 6.5
The Uruguayan was a bundle of energy in the middle of the park as the Arsenal surge began in the second half. He did look very aimless in the first half though.
Granit Xhaka – 6
The midfielder was poor in possession in the first half, as it looked like he couldn’t time a single pass right. Did a much better job in the second half and helped see out the win.
Nicolas Pepe – 7.5
The Frenchman got a rare league start on the night, coming into the side in place of Alexandre Lacazette. He scored a belter of a goal, put one on a plate for Aubameyang, and was easily the best player on the night.
Mesut Ozil – 6.5
The German looked like a shadow of his former self in the first half. Looked lethargic in possession and didn’t add anything going forward. However, the goal from Martinelli sparked a different Ozil as he was behind almost everything good Arsenal created in the offensive end of the pitch. He made twice as many passes in the second half compared to the first half.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
The youngster now has eight goals in seven starts since joining Arsenal and got the Gunners going with the opening goal on the night as well. He has impressed every time he’s been given a chance.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang – 6.5
The striker had only one touch in the opposition box over the entirety of the first half but came back stronger in the second. Linked up well with Nicolas Pepe and got himself a goal as well.
Substitutes
Sead Kolasinac- 6.5
The full-back was forced into the side early on owing to Tierney’s injury, but he settled in well. Played a beautiful ball into the box for Martinelli to tuck in.
Matteo Guendouzi – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
Reiss Nelson – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
