The Gunners were not at their best at the London Stadium, but emerged victorious thanks to goals from center-backs Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes on both sides of Jarrod Bowen’s draw. West Ham put the Gunners under a lot of pressure as they struggled to respond in the second half, but Arteta’s team defended decisively to go two points above the Spurs and three from Chelsea in third place after their defeat by Everton. “We won badly and the big teams have to find a way to win badly when they are not playing at their best,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “With the ball we were very poor. We lacked the composure, the dominance to play the game we wanted, but we found the way through set phases, through extremely good defense. “The victory here is a credit to the boys. They showed the spirit we have. “I still digest a lot of things we did not do right, but as a team to gain confidence and keep up with the moment we have, we won three big teams in a row.” Asked if Arsenal were showing a streak, Arteta added: “I like that. We need it to win football matches. “You have to find a way, you have to play the game that is necessary to play when you are not at your best and we have done it many times.”
Redknapp: Nketiah gives a different dimension
Holding was named player of the match at the London Stadium, but the Sky Sports team was also full of praise for Eddie Netia. The striker did not enter the score, but proved to be a threat to West Ham throughout, as he held his place in the team ahead of Alexandre Lacazette. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player FREE ATTENTION: Snapshots from Arsenal’s win over West Ham “Nketia has given Arsenal a different dimension,” said Jamie Redknapp. “When you have a player like Lacazette, who can not run back, he always comes to the ball. “It’s fine, it connects the work, it’s wonderful, but you have to spread the work. “You have to stretch the teams and that’s what Nketiah does. “It gives the team a release and that changes the whole look of the game.”
Sounes is “surprised” by the state of Nketia’s contract
Graeme Souness, meanwhile, described Nketiah as a standout player and said he was “surprised” Arsenal had not signed the 22-year-old on a new contract. Nketiah has been offered terms by the Gunners, but has so far turned down their offers, with his current deal expiring at the end of the campaign. Image: Eddie Nketiah stretched West Ham repeatedly during the break “I thought Nketiah was the best player on the pitch against West Ham,” said Souness. “He was always threatening. “Is his contract going to end? I’m surprised by that. “He will not miss the teams that want him. He looked threatening and is ready for the fight. “I like it a lot and against West Ham, I thought it was great. “He put himself in the window. If this is his general standard, he will not miss the teams that want to take him.”
Smith: Nketiah may change his mind
Alan Smith believes Nettia can still feel encouraged to change his mind about his future at Arsenal if he gets more time from now until the end of the season and finishes the season well. “He has been offered a new contract, but because he has played so little football, he wants to play regular football,” said Smith. “He is not hurting himself in the way he is playing at the moment and that may just encourage him to think that I can get more games next year. “I think he would play more games that way. “If you walk away, chances are it will be a step down for him. It will be a team in the middle of the Premier League standings that will sign him, you guessed it.” He added: “When he comes on as a side this season, I think he has jogged a lot of times and not contributed enough, but you saw the way he closed out against West Ham. “He did it against Chelsea for his goal when Andreas Christensen played a short back pass. Image: Gabriel gestures to crowd as he celebrates Arsenal winner “In general, his game is much better and he puts himself. “I think his grip has improved as well. There were times when he put his man back and put his body between the ball and the defender. “Well, it’s clear it’s something he’s trying to bring into his game.” Smith continued: “He always looks at a defender’s shoulder, has a bit of a rhythm with him and always has the white beams in mind. He was unlucky not to score against West Ham. “The appearance of Nketiah came at the right time for Arsenal, because Alexandre Lacazette seemed to have done what he could this season. “Getting in and doing what he has done is fantastic.”
The rest of Arsenal’s games
May 8 – Leeds (live), live on Sky Sports May 12 – Tottenham Hotspur live on Sky Sports May 16 – Newcastle (a), live on Sky Sports May 22 – Everton (h)
