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

#1 Martinelli and Pepe spare Arsenal’s blushes

Martinelli inspired a stirring comeback

Arsenal produced a dire first-half display with that performance even competing in a rather elaborate list to be termed the most rudderless 45-minute showing in 2019-20. However, after the hour mark, the Gunners flicked a switch and churned out three goals, meaning that they eased the tension surrounding the club, albeit only marginally.

Martinelli, starting his first league game of the term, conjured another brilliant performance as he was a bundle of energy for the entirety of the encounter whereas he also portrayed the requisite composure to tuck away his chance. More impressively though, the Brazilian’s positive mentality rubbed off on his teammates as his tendency to keep searching for openings ultimately convinced his peers to adopt similar modus operandi.

On the other flank, Pepe perhaps turned in his most complete performance in an Arsenal jersey. The Ivorian looked bright after the break and was a constant threat on the right-wing. And, he capped off his display with a sumptuous goal and an equally sublime assist for Aubameyang.

Also, Mesut Ozil orchestrated proceedings in the second half as the Gunners began turning the screw. The German kept finding spaces in between the lines and troubled the West Ham midfielders, with Declan Rice, in particular, finding it hard to deal with his movement.

Thus, courtesy a goal-laden nine-minute spell, Arsenal had managed to restore some sort of normality to a fortnight that has often smacked of ridicule and mediocrity.

And, though a win against struggling West Ham wouldn’t particularly send shockwaves across the footballing fraternity, it certainly is enough for the Gunners at this juncture, especially with the perilous predicament they find themselves in.