Arsenal 2-1 West Ham: Nketiah’s late goal ensured full points for Gunners

Arsenal managed to beat West Ham 2-1 at Emirates today, as Eddie Nketiah's late goal ensured full points for the Gunners from two games.

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham Nketiah's late goal ensured full points for Gunners

Arsenal managed to beat West Ham 2-1 at Emirates today, as Eddie Nketiah’s late goal ensured full points for the Gunners from two games. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made three changes ahead of the West Ham match. Dani Ceballos and Bukayo Saka came into the first eleven in place of Elneny and Maitland-Niles. Sead Kolašinac also made into the starting eleven in place of Tierney, who was injured during the warm-up.

The home team controlled the proceedings during early stages and went ahead during their first positive move when Alexandre Lacazette headed in from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s chipped cross from the left flank. 

The Hammers recovered well after conceding the first goal and came back strongly into the match. They were looking dangerous during the counter-attack and levelled the scoreline just before the breakthrough Michail Antonio from a Ryan Fredericks cross.

After the break, Arsenal survived few moments as Antonio header hit the bar and one appeal of the penalty against Arsenal, was ruled out. Gabriel touched the ball with a shoulder while clearing out at the top of the box. 

West Ham coach David Moyes was convinced that his team was denied a penalty, but video replay cannot positively confirm that he handed the ball as per new handball rule.

Arsenal were looking dull, less creative and slow despite the introduction of Nicholas Pepe, who replaced Willian. But at the end, another substitute Eddie Nketiah scored the all-important winner for the home team.

The move started with Dani Ceballos and Bulayo Saka with swift movements both on-and-off the ball through the right midfield position of West Ham. Ceballos kept a low cross for Nketiah to push in at 85th minute.

Before Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Fulham, Ceballos and Nketiah, were filmed clashing during the warm-up. After the first match, they made amend and posted there photograph together in Social media.

With the winner today, the duo have quashed any doubt that the fans might have, as Nketiah brilliantly responded to the well-timed cross from the Spanish midfielder to secure another win for Arsenal.