Arsenal: 4 talking points from crazy 3-3 draw with West Ham

Magnificent Comeback A Sign of Things to Come

From the first nano-second of the second half, Arsenal were transformed. Before their opening goal the signs were there that something could be rescued from this match, yet it was the entire next 45 minutes that stood out.

It was some of the best football Arsenal have played all season. Perhaps the best of all. Odegaard was the puppet master in front of the West Ham back four, Chambers was a menace charging down the right, Lacazette was outstanding coming off the front and linking play and Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey began to wrestle back some control in midfield.

Exceptional football that is tinged with unshakable frustration. Arsenal have the capabilities of playing to that level, so why must it have taken 40 minutes and three goals conceded to arrive?

There is such an exciting core of players in this squad who will shape the future of this team: Emile Smith Rowe and Odegaard playing as No. 8/10s in front of a Partey pivot – who constantly broke the lines with his passing – Gabriel Martinelli on the left reinforced by Kieran Tierney and Pepe on the right causing damage.

That is a system and team to get giddy about. Of course, Odegaard’s chances of staying grow increasingly slim as he continues to excel, but throw Saka into that mix with William Saliba to come into defence and Arsenal have the inner workings of a dangerous, and enjoyable, team.

Shambolic 30 minutes aside, that was a true sign of what Arsenal can become. Bring in a well-rounded centre-forward, a new right-back – such as Tariq Lamptey – and bolster the midfield areas with additions elsewhere and it’s an Arsenal side worth getting out of your sofa for.

There is a long way to go on that front, but it’s taking shape.