Potter must take Evan Ferguson ‘risk’ at halftime for West Ham v Arsenal
West Ham are struggling to play their own game against Arsenal and it is only a matter of time until they are made to pay despite leading by 1-0.
Graham Potter made some bold selection decisions heading into the game, changing to a back five, seemingly to try and subdue the attacking threat posed by the hosts.
However, it has severely limited the Irons’ ability to stamp their own authority in the game with Arsenal dominating the encounter in terms of possession and pressure.
So far, the gameplan is working but that could change in an instant.
With Potter having only won one of his first six West Ham matches, he will be hoping to prevent that record from getting any worse and to achieve that, he has a very simple change to make at half-time as opposed to sitting back and defending a 1-0 lead.
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
Evan Ferguson must be brought on at halftime v Arsenal
Evan Ferguson has the potential to be a game-changer for West Ham, but unless utilised, it means very little and it is a change that Potter needs to make at halftime.
The Irons have failed to have any real control in the first 45 minutes and the lack of a vocal point up top is the main cause of that with Jarrod Bowen’s goal largely coming against the run of play.
Simply put, the ball isn’t sticking in the Arsenal half and Ferguson would be the perfect remedy to address those concerns, while also offering another body for defending set pieces, which against the Gunners is often crucial.
Bowen is also struggling to get into the game overly much, and having that physical presence alongside him would massively improve the chances of him having a say in the clash.
His goal is a showcase of the impact he can make in the final third, and one simple change could bring even more out of him.
Potter to sacrifice Aaron Cresswell for Ferguson
While Aaron Cresswell has been able to contribute to some defensive solidity, West Ham cannot afford to sit back on their lead.
With Ferguson needed on the pitch, another player will of course have to make way and it may make sense for that sacrifice to be Cresswell.
It would see a switch to a back four but the introduction of Ferguson would likely alleviate plenty of pressure on the Irons backline while forcing Arsenal to be more cautious in attack.
West Ham have a chance of taking all three points against the Gunners, but they will need to take a risk in order to achieve that with Arsenal likely to ramp up the pressure in the second half.