Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned

Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned – Hint of the future?

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal (23) scores their first goal past goalkeeper Joe Hart of West Ham United during the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Calum Chambers of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. The future of the defence?

For the second cup game in succession, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding started as the two centre-halves at the heart of the Arsenal defence. For the second cup game in succession, the Gunners kept a clean sheet with great ease. That is no coincidence.

Both Chambers and Holding were excellent against West Ham. Composed at all times, decisive in their positioning, choosing the right time to press the ball and to drop off and cover the space in behind, they distributed well from deep, with Chambers especially accurate and intentional with the ball, and coped with the little that West Ham did offer.

With Laurent Koscielny now the wrong side of his prime, having shown signs of his age this year, and Per Mertesacker retiring in the summer to head up the Arsenal academy, there is a need for Wenger to address the long-term future of his centre-halves. Given Chambers and Holding’s performance on Tuesday, he may not have to look very far at all.

Home/Arsenal News