Max Kilman stinks, Wan-Bissaka only bright spark – West Ham ratings v Arsenal
Max Kilman was the worst of the bunch as West Ham United suffered a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal at the London Stadium on Saturday.
The Irons went into the game on 30 November looking to build on their 2-0 win against Newcastle on Monday [25 November], but found themselves four goals behind just 36 minutes in, courtesy of goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.
Although quick goals from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson saw Julen Lopetegui’s side halve the deficit, Bukayo Saka’s penalty late in the first half sealed the game for the visitors.
Here, West Ham Zone rates every player out of 10:
Lukasz Fabianski – 2
While there was nothing much Fabianski could have done for Arsenal’s first four goals, he was completely at fault as he missed his punch after a corner and took out Gabriel, awarding the visitors their second penalty of the evening and getting himself booked. He would be disappointed to have not saved Saka’s subsequent spot-kick. The goalkeeper made a save to deny Odegaard at the one-hour mark, but had a game to forget, with Danny Ings having to help him out after he flapped at another corner.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Wan-Bissaka was guilty of switching off as Saka put the ball on a plate for Trossard to put the Gunners 2-0 up. However, the right-back made amends for that error by pulling one back for the Irons with a neat finish, thus netting his second goal in as many games.
Jean-Clair Todibo – 3
Todibo kept his place in the starting XI after going off against Newcastle earlier in the week. The Frenchman was quieter than fellow centre-back Max Kilman, who struggled, but it is hard to say any defender playing for a team that conceded five goals had a good game.
Max Kilman stinks out London Stadium
Max Kilman – 1
Things could have been worse for Lopetegui’s side in the first half when Kilman got a header wrong and lost possession in a dangerous position when Mikel Arteta’s men were 1-0 up. He also made the mistake of committing too early in the leadup to Kai Havertz’s goal in the 36th minute, allowing the German a 1v1 situation against Fabianski.
Emerson [Off for Coufal 65′] – 4
Emerson drew criticism from Gary Neville in the leadup to Trossard’s 27th-minute goal as he was caught “sleeping”. He made up for it by grabbing the Hammers’ second goal with a free-kick goal, which Neville described as a “beauty” live on Sky Sports. The Italian international was replaced by Vladimir Coufal after being troubled by Saka for large parts. He was notably booked for a scramble with the winger shortly after his free-kick goal.
Carlos Soler [Off for Irving 78′] – 5
It was Soler’s eye-of-the-needle pass that set up Wan-Bissaka for West Ham’s opener. The Spaniard was definitely one of West Ham’s better players of the evening.
Tomas Soucek 4
After his goalscoring performance against Newcastle, Soucek had a quiet outing this time, struggling to make an impact like the rest of his teammates. He was got himself in the book for a foul on Jorginho late in the game.
Lucas Paqueta [Off for Rodriguez 78′] – 2
Paqueta was guilty of being pulled away from the danger area in the leadup to Arsenal’s opener, allowing Gabriel enough space to head the ball home. He then brought down Saka in the box with what Neville described as a “lazy waft”, allowing Odegaard to put the visitors three goals in front.
Crysencio Summerville [Off for Alvarez 46′]- 3
Like Emerson, Summerville was also guilty of “sleeping” as Saka set up Trossard for a tap-in the first half, according to Neville. The attacker, who was also booked for a foul on Jurrien Timber, was then replaced by Edson Alvarez at half-time.
Jarrod Bowen – 4
Bowen’s performance, like most others, left much to be desired on Saturday. He did nothing of note.
Michail Antonio worked hard for West Ham
Michail Antonio [Off for Ings 65′] – 5
Even as Arsenal put the Hammers to the sword, Antonio’s work-rate off the ball remained admirable. He also did his best to nullify Gabriel’s early goal with a brilliant finish, but saw the goal chalked off for offside. The Jamaican continued trying to make things happen for Lopetegui’s side but to no avail and was eventually replaced by Ings.
Substitutes
Edson Alvarez [On for Summerville 46′] – 5
Vladimir Coufal [On for Emerson 65′] – 5
Danny Ings [On for Antonio 65′] – 5
Guido Rodriguez [On for Paqueta 78′] – NA
Andy Irving [On for Soler 78′] – NA
In other West Ham news, the Irons are the frontrunners to sign this Premier League star ahead of the January transfer window.
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