At 4:00 a.m. Beijing time on December 16, the 17th round of the Premier League ushered in a match, and Arsenal faced West Ham United at home. Arsenal have won 8, drawn 2 and lost 6 of their first 16 league games and are favourites to compete for four. However, Arsenal have lost two of their last three league games, including 3-2 to Manchester United and 1-2 to Everton. Arsenal only ended their losing streak at home in the last game to sweep Southampton 3-0. Arsenal's match against West Ham United this time, Arsenal's last 11 league home games against West Ham United have achieved a record of 10 wins and 1 loss, occupying the absolute upper hand. Before that, Moyes had never beaten Arsenal away in the Premier League. This time it was arsenal that still won.
Arsenal line up in a 4411 formation for this game. Ramsdale served as the starting goalkeeper. Kenyo Fuan, Ben White, Gabriel and Tierney are teamed up at 4 backs. Saka, Thomas Partey, Xhaka and Martinelli form a four-midfielder. Erdegaard and Lacazette. This is arsenal's three consecutive Premier League games in five years to use the same starting line-up.
After the game began, both sides played more cautiously, just tentatively, and Dawson tried to kick off the perimeter with a long-range shot. After playing 25 minutes, Arsenal gradually got into shape and more and more shooting opportunities. Lacazette's shot was blocked in the 27th minute. Tierney's volley was saved by the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar, after which neither Lacazette nor Martinelli scored. The end of the half still did not break the deadlock. Arsenal had 56 per cent possession in the first half, with nine shots on target and three on target and failing to score. West Ham only had three shots on goal in the first half, none of which were on target.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Arsenal scored! Martinelli single-handedly pushed the goal and it was Lacazette who delivered the assist. The goal gave Arteta a temporary sigh of relief. Arsenal were then nearly equalised, but thankfully the goalkeeper performed well and defused Bowen's shot. Arteta sent Smith Rowe in the 65th minute to replace Odegaard. Soon, Lacazette made a point and Cao Fale was sent off with a red card, but Lacazette lost the penalty. Arsenal continued to maintain a high-pressure posture, finally scoring their second goal in the 86th minute, which was scored by substitute Smith Ronaldo. Arteta is truly a god changer! The final score was set at 2-0! Arsenal win!
Arteta defeated Moyes. After Arsenal won the match, they temporarily moved to the 4th place with 29 points and reached the Champions League zone, while West Ham United fell to 5th place and Manchester United fell to 6th place after the 1st round of the game. However, the match also set an embarrassing record for 29 years, the first time arsenal conceded three consecutive penalties in the Premier League since August 1992. In the post-match whoscored rating, Lacazette scored a game-high 8.3 points, and although he conceded a penalty, he had 1 assist, 2 key passes, 2 successful passes, and was arsenal's most active player in the frontcourt.