Arsenal 0-1 West Ham Player Ratings: Jarrod Bowen’s strike delivers a Hammer blow to Arsenal’s title hopes

Jarrod Bowen nodded in his 50th Premier League goal to beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. The Hammers picked up a key victory in this London derby as toothless 10-man Arsenal failed to trouble the scorers. They managed to give West Ham their first clean sheet in all competitions since October. This also inflicts Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season and a second consecutive defeat against the Hammers at home. since The result has a huge ramifications on the top of the Premier League table as Arsenal enter a tricky run of fixtures.

Mikel Merino made his way into the starting lineup after his goalscoring exploits against Leicester last weekend. Raheem Sterling was dropped as Leandro Trossard kept his place. West Ham went full defensive as Graham Potter fielded a back three with a rare start for Aaron Cresswell. The 19-year-old Oliver Scarles was given his first Premier League start too. The run-in meant every game was crucial for Arsenal and West Ham was looking to arrest a slide in form and confirm their Premier League status.

West Ham made a positive start to the game as they played out from the back comfortably in the opening 10 minutes. Arsenal grew into the game and then laid siege to the visitors’ goal. Leandro Trossard sent a couple of teasing crosses into the middle. Thomas Partey floated a lovely ball for Mikel Merino who could only head it wide of the target. West Ham had flashes of brilliance as Tomas Soucek headed high from a James-Ward Prowse cross but couldn’t string meaningful moves.

Calafiori who came into the side at left-back had a great shot straight at Areola near the end of the first quarter. Jarrod Bowen then shot wide from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cut-back from a quick break. Soucek was the guilty party again as he wasted a decent ball from Kudus.

The crushing blow came in the 44th minute when Jarrod Bowen won a ball in his own half and teed up Wan-Bissaka. The wing-back danced forward and put a perfect cross for Bowen to nod home. A 50th Premier League goal for Bowen couldn’t have come against a better opposition as Bowen loves scoring against the Gunners. It came against the run of play and Arsenal were stunned. The Emirates was shell-shocked and needed a huge second half to turn things around.

Arsenal started the second half with more purpose. The stadium was nervous and wanted their stars to show up with more intent. A lot of dangerous crosses were sent in as Arsenal showed good progress.

Around the hour mark, Trossard drew a fine save from Areola with his legs. As players were tiring, Arteta had to turn to his bench which was crippled with injuries. West Ham were happy playing this game as they put in a disciplined showing to protect their lead.

Kudus and Bowen were running riots on the break whenever they had the ball. Myles Lewis-Skelly entered the field looking for an equaliser but was denied by Areola with his feet. The youngster brought down Kudus when he was bearing down on goal. An onfield yellow card was upgraded to red after a VAR review. The red card spelt the end of Arsenal’s hopes in the game as the crowd started leaving the ground with a quarter of an hour left to play.

The Gunners did throw everything at the visitors including bringing David Raya for a corner. Trossard was denied and Ben White shot wide as West Ham registered their first clean sheet in about 5 months after a stellar defensive shift.

This huge upset has massive ripple effects on the Premier League table. West Ham stay 16th in the table level with Manchester United but separated by goal difference. They host Leicester in a must-win clash midweek. This loss couldn’t have come at a worse time for Arsenal as they failed to utilise Liverpool’s midweek draw against Aston Villa. Any such blips must be avoided if they wish to sustain a title race. They visit in-form Nottingham Forest midweek.

Here are the Arsenal vs West Ham Player Ratings.

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK – David Raya – 6/10

A couple of easy claims early on and wasn’t having much action apart from that. Went forward for a corner but ended up making a recovery tackle then score.

RB – Jurrien Timber – 6/10

Often tucked in with the centre-backs to form a back three. He also was a presence going forward as they tried to break down a resilient defence.

CB- William Saliba – 6/10

Relatively untroubled by the opposition and tried to join the attack as Arsenal moved forward. Was casual in tracking back for the goal.

CB – Gabriel – 5.5/10

Was decent with the box-defending but was marking no one in the box when the Hammers struck their blow. Played as a striker but failed to have any sort of impact.

LB – Riccardo Calafiori- 6/10

More attack-minded as West Ham stayed deep. Set up Merino for a chance and then hit a belter that was straight at Areola. Was beaten way too easily by Wan-Bissaka for the opener.

RCM – Martin Odegaard – 7/10

Led the press for the Gunners and was at his fluent best. Perhaps missing Bukayo Saka as fellow forwards often struggled to match his wavelength. Failed to step up for them when they needed him the most.

DM – Thomas Partey – 5/10

Floated in a perfectly weighted ball for Mikel Merino early in the game. Always offered himself in the buildup and was alert to the opposition counters. Faded in impact in the second half when they chased the game.

LCM – Declan Rice – 6.5/10

Another fixture against his ex-side and Rice has done a tidy job. Had a certain goal blocked by Bowen. Was getting more adventurous going forward. Failed to keep an eye on Bowen as he strolled past him to score.

RW – Ethan Nwaneri – 7/10

Had decent touches and showed his supreme technique whenever he had the chance. Trying to form synergy with Odegaard and Merino.

ST – Mikel Merino – 5/10

Showcased his new skillset as a striker after last week’s performances. Headed a Partey cross wide and was played in by Calafiori. At times, you could forgive he was not a natural striker as he failed to throw himself across the box for some crosses.

LW – Leandro Trossard – 7/10

Took on the 1v1 specialist Wan-Bissaka and played some delightful crosses in. He even had a potshot blocked by the Hammers’ defence.

Sub – Myles Lewis-Skelly- 3/10

Came on to score but ended up getting a red after a poorly judged tackle. The youngster’s temperament has to be questioned.

Sub – Zinchenko- 6/10

Did not help his side get a footing in the game.

Sub – Raheem Sterling – N/A

Sub – Ben White- N/A

Fresh from the injury comeback, lashed a shot wide late on.

Manager – Mikel Arteta – 5/10

Tried to maximise his resources but his side was clueless in attack. The decision not to strengthen in January will hurt him big time. The run ahead is tricky and they might be bowing out of the title race.

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West Ham Player Ratings

Gk – Alphonse Areola – 7.5/10

Punched away a dangerous corner and was unworked by Arsenal for large periods. Had to keep his concentration for the second period. Excellent save in the second half with his feet to get a clean sheet.

CB – Jean-Clair Todibo – 7/10

Had a decent start to the game with a good skill move. Did his best to progress the ball for his side from defence. Put the fires out multiple times in his box.

CB – Max Killman – 7/10

Involved in some solid box defending as he headed some crosses away and blocked a few shots. Was inspirational in the second half.

CB – Aaron Cresswell- 7/10

The veteran defender had to deal with the trickery of Nwaneri and held his ground well. Had a helping hand from Scarles as well. Enjoyed defending the box late in the game.

RWB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8/10

Was beaten by Trossard in his favourite 1v1 defending. Hit and miss while going forward at times. But there were no misses as he put a ball onto Bowen’s forehead to open the scoring.

CM – James Ward-Prowse – 7/10

The usual Ward-Prowse who likes to control the game with neat and safe passes. Nearly set up the opener as Soucek headed wide. Had to put in a defensive shift too.

CM – Edson Alvarez – 6.5/10

The Mexican was playing the deepest of the three midfielders and was relentlessly pressed by Arsenal. Did well to escape it and played some useful passes.

CM – Tomas Soucek – 7/10

He was given the freedom to crash the box and always roamed forward to join the attack. Missed a couple of great chances created by Ward-Prowse and Kudus. Was a thorn in the opposition’s attacks.

LWB – Oliver Scarles- 7/10

The youngster made his first-ever Premier League start and wasn’t scared by the occasion. Kept his composure on the ball and defended West Ham’s left-hand side with vigour. Would be upset that he didn’t get a chance to showcase his attacking potency.

ST – Jarrod Bowen – 8.5/10

The Englishman was part of a front-two alongside Kudus. He tried to counter on his own and wasted a chance when Wan-Bissaka squared for him. Produced an incredible block to deny Rice. He then ghosted into the box to give the Hammers a shock lead. Gave his everything to get a win.

ST – Mohammed Kudus – 7/10

Almost had a magnet on him as he trapped the ball with ease. Was running rings around the defence and created a chance for Soucek too. Perhaps would have done better with a natural centre-forward.

Sub – Mavropanos- 7/10

Came in with one purpose and did it well.

Sub – Evan Ferguson- 6/10

Could have added a late goal on the break but failed to get a shot away.

Sub – Carlos Soler- N/A

Manager – Graham Potter – 8/10

Came in with a solid approach and stuck with it. After Bowen gave them the lead, their second-half display was top-notch to protect it. Will be happy to win and get a clean sheet after a long time.

Sportdunia’s Player of the Match goes to – Jarrod Bowen

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