ASSAULT AND PEPE
Lift-off for Freddie Ljungberg’s men as £72m man Nicolas inspires Gunners’ comeback
THE away end at last had something to cheer for the first time in months.
In the space of nine minutes, the mood completely changed from one of utter despair to an away win which finally gets Freddie Ljungberg off the mark as caretaker boss.
Gunners fans went from singing “We are staying up”, with more than a touch of irony, to renditions of songs about Ljungberg from his glory days as a player.
There was the Swede celebrating wildly on the touchline, clenching his fists and then punching the air as Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-emerick Aubameyang scored to turn the game on its head.
Arsenal got their first win in 10 games, went from being utterly woeful in the first half to a rampant away performance full of style and flair.
It just shows what a little dose of confidence can do because, for the first hour, the visitors were unrecognisable, looking as if they had forgotten how to win.
They were stuck in the middle of their worst run for 42 years and Ljungberg looked like a man unable to inspire a bunch of underperforming prima donnas. Mesut Ozil was anonymous, Martinelli looked lost and Aubameyang a million miles away from being captain material because that is what a crisis does for you.
Arsenal were booed off by their own fans at half time because they were so poor, failing to even manage a shot on target.
West Ham were far from good, but at least looked ready to battle, whereas far too many Arsenal players had lost pride in their shirt.
No matter who is in charge, the very least players can do is put a shift in for the fans, who had begun to give up through the dog days of
Unai Emery’s failed reign. Ljungberg rang the changes, dropping David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin was injured in the warm-up and Ainsley Maitlandniles stepped in, while Kieran Tierney then went off injured. It never rains but it pours.
West Ham took a 38th-minute lead. Robert Snodgrass’s corner was not cleared, Pablo Fornals put the ball back into the box and Angelo Ogbonna’s header deflected in off Maitland-niles.
The goal survived a lengthy VAR check, even though it was clear it hit Ogbonna’s shoulder. It did not get much better after the break as
Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno saved well from Declan Rice, then Snodgrass had a shot deflected wide after Granit Xhaka’s clumsy pass.
It left the Arsenal fans fearing the worst. But, from nowhere, came three goals in nine minutes. Lucas Torreira started the 60th-minute move, spread the ball wide to Sead Kolasinac, Rice went to sleep and Martinelli swept home the cross with a brilliant finish.
Suddenly, Arsenal believed. Six minutes later, they were ahead with a brilliant goal from Pepe, who played well all night, showing hunger and determination to run at defenders. The £72million record signing stormed forward, cut inside, and then unleashed a brilliant curling shot to beat West Ham keeper David Martin.
Three minutes later, it was job done. Ozil was no longer anonymous but running the show. He found Aubameyang, his back heel reached Pepe, and then he provided the assist for Aubameyang to fire home a third.
Arsenal fans were jubilant, while the familiar moans and groans crept in amongst the home supporters, who suddenly find themselves nervously looking over their shoulders.