Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned

Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned – Flatter to deceive

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Arsenal players celebrate their team's second goal, an own goal scored by Issa Diop of West Ham United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

2. First win of the year significant

I have continually stated that this season is not about results. As Emery continues to implement his ideas at the club, the performances of the team, the adaptation of the players to the new tactics and systems, and the evaluations that Emery makes which will motivate personnel decisions further down the line are all more important than the results.

That said, that does not mean that I am happy when Arsenal lose. It also does not devalue the importance of results, it merely heightens the significance of other aspects. And so, it is important that Arsenal got their first win of the year, even if there were major shortcomings in how they got it.

West Ham had plenty of chances to hurt their hosts and perhaps should have done better on the numerous counter-attack opportunities. But Arsenal rode the storm, and their luck, bundled their way to a second goal and clung on for the three points. The Unai Emery era is well and truly underway.