The worst thing about this defeat was the transfer window had closed and Arsenal can’t remedy their defensive and midfield frailties by drafting in ready-made solutions.
As rivals Liverpool and Manchester United bought four out and out defenders – the news filtered through that Lauren could be out for the rest of the season. In this game Arsenal tried their seventh different player at left back.
When Arsenal scored the second – the seats around me were two thirds to three quarters empty, as if an air raid siren had gone off (maybe a potent symbol for what’s happening at Highbury). Certainly not a good way to celebrate the 2000th game there.
Arsenal began brightly. Van Persie was involved in four attacks in the first five minutes.
Diaby set up Henry to volley – but his goalbound shot was deflected off Ljungberg.
Van Persie twisted on the left and fired in a shot which came off the post.
At the first Arsenal corner, Arsenal looked threatening with Djourou, Senderos, Campbell, Diaby and Gilberto.
However after the first 15 and some loose distribution, West Ham came more into it, having their first shot on 20, after a Gilberto slip. Ominously, Pires and Gilberto were barged off the ball in separate incidents.
On 25 Campbell let an easy ball go under his foot and Reo-Coker was away, sliding the ball past Lehmann. Highbury was stunned.
You looked around and asked – where is the spirit, drive and determination to get back into this?
On 32 it got worse when Zamora chased a lofted through ball, shrugging off a weak challenge from Campbell in the area and bent his shot past Lehmann.
Van Persie had several opportunities – but he always took one touch too many, one twist too often.
However a pre-half time flurry saw Henry and Djourou with shots cleared off the line, with Pires firing in and Henry deflecting it past Ferdinand on the line.
It was Henry’s 151st record league goal, but the screen credited it to Pires. When the record was announced at half-time, it seemed a bit irrelevant given the mood.
Larsson (21) came on for Campbell (who was substituted and left the stadium in a bad state) to fill the left back spot, with Senderos (21) moving inside to partner Djourou (19). With Flamini (22) on for Gilbert (18, injured), it must have been the youngest first team defence Arsenal have fielded.
There was a new freshness and zest about Arsenal, as if Campbell’s mood was affecting the side. [Subsequently we hear that the side played for Campbell in the second half – but the fact they lost – that’s a double edged sword.]
Arsenal pressed. Pires had a shot over the bar and Henry cut in from the left and was inches away from an equaliser.
Wenger put on Bergkamp [changing 4-4-2 to 4-3-3] for Diaby, who all in all was Arsenal’s most promising player. Although not everything he did came off, some of his passing set up chances, and he has an elusive dribbling style which will bring goals. At the moment, he’s more of an offensive midfielder than defensive though.
Larsson was looking extremely assured and composed with some good tackles and long passes. But on 79, he let a short pass from Senderos slip under his foot. Reo-Coker was onto it, fired across the area where Etherington shot across the ball. Lehmann had it covered – but as if to emphasise the inexperience of youth, Flamini tried to reach it and deflected it past Lehmann and also Pires on the line.
Henry tried a spectacular overhead, just wide. But with a minute to go, Gilberto lobbed to Bergkamp free on the right of the area and he volleyed first time. Hislop parried it straight to Pires who fired home.
Arsenal at times missed the running and energy of Reyes, which creates good outlet balls; and also the assured passing of Fabregas.
Abeydayor and Walcott are in the wings – and they could make a difference. Diaby could be an Arsenal great in time – he showed he has talent in abundance. And of course Toure will return to make things better.
But the second half line up clearly showed the imbalance in the squad / team – with no-Arsenal player on the pitch between the critical ages of 23-27. And it left a screaming question as to why Wenger didn’t buy a solid defender or two and and an experienced defensive midfielder in the window.
It is interesting that William Hill offer odds of 7/4 that Arsene Wenger will be gone from the club before the first day of next season.