Liverpool Remains on Top of Premier League with Arsenal’s Poor Performance Against West Ham

Liverpool remains on the throne of the Premier League after the poor performance of its now runner-up, Arsenal, beaten at the Emirates Stadium by West Ham (2-0) on Thursday December 28 at the conclusion of a 19th day which saw the loss of three of the top five teams.

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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tackles West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen on December 28 in the English championship in London. Photo: AFP/VNA/CVN

In addition to the Gunners, Tottenham was beaten at Brighton (4-2) while third Aston Villa lost at the end of the match on Tuesday December 26 to Manchester United (3-2).

Five days after hanging the Reds at Anfield Road (1-1), Arsenal unexpectedly gave in to the team that eliminated them from the League Cup at the beginning of November. The Hammers proved the analysis of their coach David Moyes right, who assured before the match that this year was the best in the club’s history, including a triumph in the Europa Conference League.

They did not concede the slightest opportunity in the first half hour of play, and even scored shortly before the quarter of an hour after a poor assessment by Gabriel Magalhaes, which benefited Tomas Soucek (0-1, 13th). The former Lille defender also lost a decisive aerial duel in the second half against Konstantinos Mavropanos, following a corner from Ward-Prowse (2-0, 55th).

Often effective in front of goal since the start of the season, the Gunners this time lacked realism with Saka (30th, 42nd), Martinelli (37th), Gabriel Jesus (66th) then Trossard in the last quarter of an hour. The score could have been crueler if Benrahma had converted his penalty in added time.

“When we shoot thirty times on goal, when we have 2.6 expected goals and when we have so many situations in the penalty area, we don’t imagine that we have to do much more to score a goal and to win this match,” said Mikel Arteta at a press conference.

Arsenal coach Mikel Artera despairs during the English Championship match against West Ham on December 28 in London. Photo: AFP/VNA/CVN

Appointed four years ago, the Gunners coach did not comment on the lack of bench depth, while the successive entries of Smith Rowe, Nelson and Nketiah failed to make a difference in the second half.

Arsenal are two points behind Liverpool, while West Ham, 6th, is on the lookout for European places, three points behind Tottenham and four points behind Manchester City, winner Tuesday at Everton (3-1) and which has a one more match to play.

Tottenham relapses heavily

Shortly before, Tottenham had suffered a severe relapse on the Brighton pitch (4-2) and missed the opportunity to get closer to the lead in the championship. However, Tottenham were the best away team before this meeting and ended the first half of the season on a negative note, despite a good fifth place in the standings, one point behind Manchester City.

Better in recent weeks after a catastrophic month of November in terms of results, the Spurs showed an unusual face with a lot of passivity, as in this individual action by Joao Pedro who was able to review four players and give away a golden ball to Jack Hinshelwood, unmarked at the entrance to the penalty area (1-0, 11th).

Between several clear chances for Brighton (17th, 32nd, 45th), the same Joao Pedro would then convert two penalties (23rd, 75th), with in the meantime a powerful strike from Pervis Estupinan in the opposite corner of Vicario (63rd). Alejo Veliz (81st) and Ben Davies (85th) reduced the score, too late to put the Seagulls in doubt.

Brighton repositions itself in eighth place, six points behind first European place.

AFP/VNA/CVN

2023-12-29 01:41:37
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