George Overhill

Mon 26 December 2022 22:00, UK

West Ham threatened to spring an upset at the Emirates before luck and a goalkeeping error contributed to succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.

A game of two halves saw the Hammers took a surprise lead in the 27th minute when Said Benrahma scored from the spot, after a long VAR review confirmed slight contact from William Saliba on Jarrod Bowen as he advanced into the Arsenal area.

After the break Martin Odegaard’s woeful shot fell perfectly at Bukayo Saka’s feet in the area allowing him to equalise, before Lukasz Fabianski allowed a low near post shot straight in from Gabriel Martinelli to turn the tables, after which the team fell away and was played through with ease for Eddie Nketiah to add a third.

Here, West Ham Zone rates the Hammers players out of 10 for their performances at the Emirates.

Lukasz Fabianski – 5

Was left with little chance to keep the equaliser out when the ball fell at Saka’s feet without a Hammers defender near him, but should never have allowed Martinelli’s strike past him at the near post. Nketiah’s finish wasn’t really his fault but the damage was done with his error for the second.

Vladimir Coufal – 7

Was one of the better looking Hammers performers in the first half, making at least one important block as the Irons defence held up while hassling the home side on the ball. It was him playing Saka onside for the equaliser, but can’t really be blamed since it was very lucky that a poor shot landed at his feet. Looked more ragged as the game turned.

Thilo Kehrer – 5

In the absence of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd he was pressed into action in the middle and largely held up for the first 45. But once Arsenal got on top he looked lost as he was turned far too easily by Nketiah for the third goal.

Craig Dawson – 6

Stepped in to take the ball of Saka’s toe to thwart one dangerous opportunity while the Irons were leading but was as powerless to resist as the rest of his teammates as the game slipped away.

Aaron Cresswell – 5

Struggled to repel attacks down his flank throughout. Perhaps lucky that Saka’s early strike was ruled out for offside as he was beaten by a dummy, and looked like the most likely opening for the home side against the England star. Had a penalty wrongly given against him in first half stoppage time which Michael Oliver rescinded after checking the VAR monitor.

Tomas Soucek (off for Fornals ’78) – 4

Peripheral in the opening half and only marginally better after the break. In an away game at the league leaders he was the sort of player who needed to have a big game to give David Moyes’ side a chance, and he didn’t.

Declan Rice – 7

In the face of waves attacking moves from the home side it was up to the West Ham skipper to step in with the crucial pass break up on multiple occasions in the opening 45 minutes. Wasn’t supported enough defensively in the middle and faded from prominence as the game went on.

Jarrod Bowen – 8 (Man of the match)

Not at his flying best but was certainly one of the most likely looking elements of the West Ham line up, as it proved for the opener when he won a crucial penalty. Streaked into the area and was knocked off balance by slight contact from Saliba. If he could have been utilised more when the Hammers were in the ascendency it might have been a different story.

Lucas Paqueta – 4

West Ham fans will justifiably be wondering where the Brazil World Cup version of their record signing was as he was largely a passenger throughout. In a defensive capacity he was played around far too easily and didn’t spend enough time on the ball to produce much of anything going forward.

Said Benrahma – 6

Did what was asked of him in his most crucial moment as he stepped up to smash his penalty down the middle and give West Ham the lead. Otherwise he struggled to get into the game on the left hand side and gave the ball away too often.

Michail Antonio (off for Mubama ’87) – 7

Largely did what he had got used to doing for so long prior to Gianluca Scamacca’s arrival, as he ran himself into the ground as the lone forward. Wasn’t his best opening half, but made a key contribution to take control of a loose ball and slip in Bowen for the penalty. Was probably the only player who looked better as Arsenal took control, although Oliver allowed the home side to increasingly foul him out of the game as he fought to find a way back.

SUBSTITUTES

Pablo Fornals (on for Soucek ’78) – 6

Went close with one long range curler late on.

Divin Mubama (on for Antonio ’87) – N/A