Arsenal are the new number four in the Premier League. The Gunners managed to shake off rival and fellow city rival West Ham United on Wednesday evening in their own Emirates Stadium: 2-0. Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe produced. Alexandre Lacazette, the successor to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as captain, failed after half time for Arsenal from eleven meters. However, the attacker’s miss did not have disastrous consequences for manager Mikel Arteta’s team.
Prior to the London derby, the recent death of Ray Kennedy, who won the double with Arsenal in 1971, was commemorated. After the tribute, Arsenal energetically started the clash with the competitor from East London. On the sidelines, Arteta made it clear to his team that they had to play with a lot of energy. That resulted in a number of great opportunities in the final phase. Left-back Kieran Tierney saw a bang towards the crossing feline rescued by Lukasz Fabianksi, who has a history with Arsenal. Moments later, the West Ham keeper made a very skilful save on a shot by Lacazette and Martinelli also failed to open the score in the rebound.
There’s the lead for Arsenal?? Martinelli shoots very controlled and puts Arsenal virtually in fourth place ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #ARSWHU pic.twitter.com/KnOMlnvcif
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Dec 15, 2021
Three minutes after the restart, Martinelli still hit the mark. The Brazilian attacker was able to continue after a watched ball from Lacazette and with a slider in the far corner he brought the Arsenal fans into ecstasy: 1-0. Arteta decided after 65 minutes to bring in Smith-Rowe for the tired degaard. Just a minute later, West Ham had to go on with ten players. Vladimir Coufal knocked Lacazette down in the penalty area and the ball landed right on the spot. To make matters worse for the Hammers Coufal had to leave the field with a second yellow card. An opportunity for Arsenal, but Lacazette saw his bet stopped by the outstanding Fabianski.
With three minutes left in north London, the tension for Arsenal supporters came to an end. Substitute Smith-Rowe. The attacking midfielder was played by Bukayo Saka, drew in from the right and blasted the ball from just outside the box flawlessly into the right corner past the helpless Fabianski: 2-0. Arsenal win the Premier League for the second time in a row, beating Southampton 3-0 on Saturday, and are currently the new number four in the Premier League.
New Number 4?? The talent Smith Rowe locks the game with the 2-0 and secures place 4 for The Gunners ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #ARSWHU pic.twitter.com/H3bjuJWuMc
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Dec 15, 2021