3 positives and 2 negatives from Arsenal’s 5-2 win at West Ham

Positive No. 2: Kai Havertz looks like a striker again

Just when it seemed like playing a midfielder as a No.9 was actually nothing more than a charming experiment, Havertz reasserted himself as Arsenal’s main man up front. He did it by scoring the kind of goal that every top striker needs to score.

It required a good run to clear a high line, followed by a clean finish to find the net. Timing, speed, strength, nerves and technique. Havertz ticked every box on the striker’s bingo card.

His goal comes at the right time because Arsenal gel better as a team when Havertz is at the forefront of the attack. His clever movements and spatial awareness create space for others to use. The combination becomes lethal when Havertz makes way for Saka, Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli to penetrate from wide areas.

More of what he showed at the London Stadium will not only justify Havertz remaining in his current position. It will also maintain Arsenal’s place among the goals.

Negative #2: Arsenal were hit with a double whammy

The Paul brothers must have been lurking in east London because Arsenal somehow managed to get caught out by a one-two out of nowhere. When we took a four-man lead with less than ten minutes to go in the half, there was a sudden and completely unwanted drop in intensity and concentration.

An Arsenal team that played a little slower and a little less aggressive was immediately punished when Carlos Soler played a great pass for Wan-Bissaka. A pass that the former Manchester United right-back completed like a striker at the peak of his powers.

It was a beautiful goal from start to finish and West Ham deserved it, but Arteta’s player still didn’t heed the warning. Instead of quickly refocusing, the Gunners simply honked the clown car’s horn.

Declan Rice slid in on the edge of his penalty area and positioned Emerson to fire a free-kick past David Raya with even more thunder written on Arteta’s face.

His anger was justified, and so were all Arsenal fans who were worried about a repeat of the infamous 4-4 draw at Newcastle on a gloomy day in 2011. Fortunately, the Hammers didn’t seize the initiative as passionately as the Magpies. And this game was not conducted in a way that should have attracted the attention of the special forces.

Nonetheless, Arteta is likely to spend a lot of time educating his players about the value of staying focused even when a game looks dusty. Especially when a game looks dusty.

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