Why Arsenal Lost at Home to West Ham United: Fan Insights

London, England — Arsenal’s recent defeat against West United at home has left fans dissecting the match, pointing out key reasons for the disappointing performance. One passionate supporter, Abhyudai Singh, took to social media to break down the game, highlighting tactical issues and the absence of a progressive defensive midfielder.

One crucial observation focused on Declan Rice‘s role, noting that he dropped deep to pick up the ball, a departure from the style of progressive defensive midfielders like Thomas Partey or Jorginho. The fan emphasized the importance of having midfielders who can make line-breaking passes to unleash players like Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli.

The impact of Ben White carrying a knock was also underscored, with the analysis suggesting that his inability to perform at his best had consequences on the team. The fan pointed out that White failed to use his created space effectively, hindering the team’s attacking options.

The analysis delved into the concept of playing through phases and highlighted concerns about the team’s initiation of the playing phase. The critique suggested that Rice dropping too deep disrupted the second phase of play, causing the midfield to drop even deeper and the frontline to retreat.

The opposing team’s strategy to crowd their fullbacks and a winger to double down on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli was identified as a significant challenge for Arsenal. This defensive approach limited the space for dribbling and creative plays, putting additional pressure on the attacking players.

Further criticism was directed at Arsenal’s wingers, who were observed making backpasses instead of continuing the attack by running towards the box. The fan argued that Martin Ødegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko could have played line-breaking passes if the wingers had continued their runs instead of stopping or jogging.

Concerns were also raised about the striker’s positioning, Gabriel Jesus, who tended to stick to the wings rather than occupying a more central role. The need for more willing runners to take advantage of the gaps created by Jesus was noted as a significant issue, contrasting with players like Granit Xhaka or Kai Havertz, who excel in utilizing space.

In conclusion, the analysis emphasized the halt in Arsenal’s progressive play due to the lack of a defensive midfielder capable of breaking lines. The fan suggested that players like Jorginho and Partey provide an additional option in breaking down low defensive blocks, highlighting the risk but potential reward in adopting such a strategy.