Arsenal had to come from behind to record their first win under Unai Emery as they beat West Ham United 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday
The Gunners had to work hard to grab their first points of the season, having gone a goal down to Marko Arnautovic’s close-range finish midway through the first half. But, the scores were left at the half-hour mark as Hector Bellerin galloped forward and squared the ball for Nacho Monreal to equalise.
Chances flowed in as the game progressed further, but Arsenal scored once again in the 70th minute, although they needed a stroke of luck as Issa Diop deflected in Alexandre Lacazette’s attempted pass into the back of his own net. The win was then rounded off deep into injury time, with Bellerin providing the assist once again, this time for Danny Welbeck.
Despite the win though, there were some glaring issues at the back for the Gunners, and Arsenal fans did not miss in pointing out the obvious, with a special mention for Hector Bellerin.
Arsenal defending like pic.twitter.com/83CAMvg6r3
— Brad Miller (@B_Milli) August 25, 2018
Sokratis hasn’t settled ,Mustafi is untrustworthy and Bellerin doesn’t know how to defend period! #ARSWHU https://t.co/ndIeHe9yuq
— Benyarastour6 (@SiyabongaBenya) August 25, 2018
And it might be the best attacking right side. Unreal stuff.
— ً (@EmeryTactic) August 25, 2018
Bellerin has started the season terribly but has 3 assists already. Brilliant by Welbeck.
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) August 25, 2018
Bellerin has been caught out of position & completely lost his man at least 5 times in that 45 minutes. He just can’t seem to grasp the basics
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) August 25, 2018
Meanwhile, there were calls for Lucas Torreira to be handed his first start after the Uruguayan produced yet another solid performance.
Lucas Torreira comes on.
Ramsey looked better.
Xhaka looked better.
Bellerin looked better.
Our defenders looked better.What an impact !
— Torreira Di Pascua (@Arsenal490304) August 25, 2018
Torreira gave the team a balance
Everybody begins to play with freedom
Xhaka, Ramsey even Bellerin went up so well
— James St. Patrick (@DaPrinz12) August 25, 2018
Torreira is a must in the starting eleven. Am sure Emery won’t do the mistake of not starting him again. You could see the difference when he come on.
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) August 25, 2018
Torreira’s the man we need in midfield. He looked good alongside Xhaka and that should be how we play going forward.
— The Arsenal (@DareToWenger) August 25, 2018
We are twice the team with Torreira on the pitch defensively.
— LTArsenal (@ltarsenal) August 25, 2018
The difference in Arsenal when Lucas Torreira is on the pitch makes you wonder why Emery is persistenting with introducing him from the bench. Always seems to make good choices in possession and cuts out attacks far better than any other Arsenal midfielder.
— Robbie Fahy (@RFahy00) August 25, 2018
But, the spotlight was on Unai Emery, as he Arsenal finally won their first competitive game under his tutelage on Saturday.
Emery’s in game management is top notch.
— Dezil Dez (@DezilDezz) August 25, 2018
FT: 3-1
Unai Emery gets his first win!
It was a far from vintage performance with some really shaky moments, though Torreira’s introduction changed the game.
Onwards and upwards!
— The Arsenal (@DareToWenger) August 25, 2018
Despite our struggle we’ve had the same start as last season. 3 points out of 9. Difference is we played tougher games this time around. Give Emery time
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) August 25, 2018
Unai needs time. He’s not called Emery for no reason.
— Jesse™ (@Teddy_Bangs) August 25, 2018
Really hard fought victory to kickstart our season. Emery has a lot of work to do in stamping his identity on this team but the signs are good. On-to the next.
— Dr. Mohammed Amali ?? (@MoAmali) August 25, 2018
FT Thoughts:
– Are we overrated or inconsistent?
– Much better intensity and quality in that second half;
– Lacazette and Torreira have to start moving forward;
– Still plenty to work on defensively;
– The Unai Emery era is well and truly underway. pic.twitter.com/7TbydtEbwW— Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) August 25, 2018
