It felt surreal to look at the Premier League table this morning to see my beloved Arsenal FC sitting pretty in the fourth position on the table. It's especially sweeter because early in the season when we had bad fixtures and bad run haters had already begun relegation songs for our never relegated Arsenal FC. but I'm glad we have turned the tide and put all of that behind us put our doubters to shame.
Yesterday's game was immensely nerve-racking even though I had a gut feeling that we would win but because West Ham have proven themselves over the past 2 seasons to be a formidable side and even sat in the fourth place position up until their impending defeat on the night.
Both sides started the game with the intention to win and in situations like there are very few clear cut chances. In a goalless first half that saw Arsenal outperform the Hammers, it was West Ham's Pablo Fornal who first threatened with a shot that shaved past the Arsenal post but did not trouble our goalie Ramsdale.
Late in the first half, we turned up the pressure and had a flurry of chances that saw a shot by Granit Xhaka blocked inside the box before Tierney hit an absolute pile driver that Former Gunner Lukasz Fabianski manage to tip onto the crossbar and over for a corner.
After the restart, we came out with all guns blazing and before long our stand-in captain Lacazette put in a beautiful through ball for Gabriel Martinelli who ran behind the backline superbly to put an aplomb shot past Fabianski and into the far corner for the lead.
West Ham almost equalized moments later our amazing keeper was up to the test. Moments later we were given a great opportunity to double our lead after West Ham defender Coufal tripped Lacazette in the box for a penalty and his second yellow card which meant he got in for an early shower- but Lacazette's penalty was saved by Fabianski who I might add was brilliant for West Ham.
We finally secured the points when Saka found Emile Smith Rowe who has been absent for our last two games but didn't look to show any fatigue when he arrowed a left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The goal made sure that it was a great day at the office as we moved to fourth position one point ahead of West Ham and two ahead of Manchester United who have a game in hand after their midweek match was cancelled amidst covid scares.
I'm especially happy that the team came out united and didn't look like a team in lack of leadership.
Next stop, Leeds United on Saturday. COYG!!!
