West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019-20

#2 Where are West Ham headed?

Is Pellegrini already on borrowed time?

Back in the 2018 off-season, West Ham signalled their intent of returning to the higher echelons of the English top-flight by unveiling Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager. Subsequently, many thought that they might become the first club to break open the traditional ‘Big Six’.

However, a dreadful start to last term meant that that dream was nipped in a bud, although they redeemed themselves a shade as the season drew to a close. Unsurprisingly, the sanguineness in East London reached a crescendo during the 2019 summer, especially considering they’d splashed the cash on some top-quality footballers.

Yet, with each passing game, the Hammers have contrived to evaporate that optimism with a string of uninspiring performances. And, whenever they’ve managed to turn up in games, they’ve ceded the initiative, only to rue it later.

Even against Arsenal, the hosts were quite good for the opening hour. They kept the ball well and were implementing their game-plan to the tee. However, once Martinelli opened the Gunners’ scoring, West Ham unravelled rather spectacularly.

The ailments that plagued the visitors in the opening 45 minutes suddenly seemed to impede the Hammers as their offensive play lacked ideas and the team was bereft of any belief. Most disturbingly, once the going got tough, the hosts seemed consigned to their fate, rather than trying to plot an escape route.

Thus, one couldn’t help but question where West Ham were actually headed. While they’ve showcased immense trust in Pellegrini so far, they’ve just not been good enough recently and the Chilean’s expansive style of football might have degraded the East Londoners as an outfit.

And, that, could be the hammer blow for the former Manchester City manager.