West Ham United (1) 1 v 2 (1) Arsenal
45 Bowen, assist Coufal 38 Holding, assist Saka
54 Gabriel, assist Martinelli
Yellows: Cresswell, Bowen Saka, Nketiah Referee M. Dean
Played Sunday 1 May 2022 at The London Stadium, attendance undeclared.
West Ham United followed up their 1-2 home defeat against Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final first leg with another defeat by the same score against Premier London Derbies (PLDs) rivals Arsenal. The Gunners’ Manager Mikel Arteta described it as “winning ugly”. Is that the definition of a game in which both centre-backs score, and your booked players are 2 lightweight and quick forwards? For Rob Holding this was his first Arsenal goal in 81 appearances.
If that was not enough the Hammers lost their third season defining match in a row with a 0-1 defeat in Germany on 4 May which ended their Europa league campaign. The match was very uphill after Aaron Cresswell was sent off in the 19th minute, and Manager David Moyes also saw red for kicking a ball at a ballboy. They are now left fighting for 7th place in the Premier League (PL), and European football next season being on 52 points from 35 games. That is 3 ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers ( 49 from 34) and 3 behind Manchester United (55 from 35).
Next up for Arsenal is the postponed North London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur. PLDs form is very much with Spurs who have won 4 of the last 5 seasons matches with one draw in 2018-19. The match is being billed as the decider in the race for the last UEFA Champions League place now the Hammers can not win the Europa League. However, while the Lilywhites are unlikely to win away to Liverpool on Saturday 7 May, and Arsenal home to 17th placed Leeds United on Sunday 8 May, it may be all over by Thursday 12 May.
Until next time, “Keep Safe”, Covid’s not over, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.