Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham: Martinelli strikes in 2-0 win

Arsenal moved into the top four on Wednesday night as Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe strike in the second-half to secure a vital 2-0 win over ten-men West Ham in the Premier League.

All the talk pre-match centred around the dethroned captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was not considered for selection off the back of him being stripped of the armband. Alexandre Lacazette led the line in his stead.

Mikel Arteta opted to make no changes to his back five for the third match running, while the midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka kept their places. So too did Martin Odegaard.

It was in the forward line where the biggest decision would come, with a tussle for the spot on the left won by Gabriel Martinelli to ensure that the same team was fielded three matches running.

Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham as Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe secure 2-0 Premier League to move Gunners into top four

It was a purposeful start from Arsenal who pressed and counter-pressed with more conviction than they have done in weeks. A makeshift Hammers backline was there to be got at.

No goals came in the first half with the hosts seeing two penalty appeals waved away, and while the chances were few and far between until the latter stages barring Kieran Tierney’s thunderous drive being tipped onto the crossbar, it was a positive and energised display.

The goal came shortly after half-time as Lacazette’s wonderfully weighted through ball fed Martinelli in and the Brazilian channeled his inner No. 14 with a lovely finish into the far corner.

Arsenal then won a very dubious penalty that saw Coufal sent off for a second yellow card, one Lacazette won and, for the first time in his Gunners career, one he missed.

Unable to consolidate the win, Smith Rowe finally wrapped the points up with a delightful low strike from outside the box to move the Gunners into the top four.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Next to nothing for Ramsdale to do with West Ham barely threatening and sitting in a block that limited his options in possession. Made one key save but otherwise untested.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 8/10 – Having such a two-footed full-back does wonders for opening angles when building and Tomiyasu did some excellent work in finding Saka down the right. An absolute rock, once again.

Benjamin White (CB) – 7/10 – Perhaps not quite as crisp as you would like, the options in possession stunted his impact from a progressive sense. Did his defensive duties well, though, and offered Antonio precious little.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – One or two nervy moments but Gabriel clearly loved the physical challenge on the night and stood up to every duel. Proactive defending throughout.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 8/10 – Wasn’t quite as adventurous when receiving the ball in the first hald, as it’s still noticeable that many passes into him limit his options in front. However, he took up the advanced wide positions that allowed Martinelli to keep the Hammers’ defenders second guessing and linked up with the Brazilian well all night.

Looking closer to his best.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7/10 – Partey is ever so slowly building his confidence back. It’s taking its time and he’s still far off where he can be, but against the Hammers he grew into the game and tried to put his stamp on proceedings. Was the better of the central midfielders.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 6/10 – Had to speed things up more. Too often the transitions were sluggish with Xhaka not moving the ball quick enough and it killed some of the more promising opportunities Arsenal had to break through a stubborn West ham side.

He pressed well, but his sluggishness in possession shone most.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 7/10 – Some of his touches were wonderfully silky and when he got close to Saka is when the threat built for Arsenal. Made way for Smith Rowe as he began to tire.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 8/10 – Held the right side. It was his and his alone. Tormented Masuaku all game long and kept penetrating that side despite being outnumbered every time he collected possession in that area.

He is just magnificent.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 9/10 – The question before the game was: how long would he last? The question then became: can he please not come off? He made the most of every minute he was on the pitch, looking engaged, aggressive and combative. With the players on the pitch he’s the striker Arsenal have most suited to the style.

His pass to set up Martinelli was superb, as was his entire performance. Dare we say, a captain’s performance?

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 9/10 – Everything we’ve grown accustomed to with Martinelli was on display, and then some. Whether it be tracking back to reclaim possession or bending his runs to make space for others, he was a thorn in West Ham all evening. Whisper it quietly, but his goal was Henry-esque (or maybe Aubameyang?).

Does he work hard? Unbelievably so. Incredible defensive work rate and the goal lifted his confidence to new levels.

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Substitutes

Emile Smith Rowe – 7/10 – Took up a variety of interesting positions both out wide and centrally, but didn’t impact the game as much as he would have liked until his excellent low drive to seal the points.

Eddie Nketiah – N/A – Came on for Martinelli who cramped up towards the end. However, wasn’t on long enough for a rating.

Nuno Tavares – N/A – In classic Wenger style, he came on in a left wing-back role with his fellow left-back close by.