Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: 4 major positives for Arteta's side

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: 4 major positives for Arteta’s side

Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 15, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

3. Fierce Competition With Martinelli and Smith Rowe Form

Not actually to the death, more like fight to get on the teamsheet. Doesn’t have quite the same punch though, does it?

Opting to stick with Martinelli from the start was a brilliant call from the manager. Smith Rowe is back fit but with the quantity of fixtures to come there is no urge to be rushing him back into action when the Brazilian is performing as he is.

Seeing how much the Hale Ender was missed against Everton’s low block will surely have tempted Arteta’s hand, mind you. He stuck with Martinelli, though, and it paid off with one his most mature and well-rounded performances for the club. Perhaps the best of all.

As if Gabi getting the goal wasn’t special enough, to have Smith Rowe come off the bench and grab the clincher was near enough the perfect ending. These is two players who are part of a quartet that is locked in fierce battle with one another. It’s absolutely brilliant to be having this level of competition between young players.

Martin Odegaard was superb again, Bukayo Saka was on another level and the aforementioned duo showed their goalscoring prowess, among other traits. If Nicolas Pepe actually existed (it looks so hopelessly over for him, unfortunately) there could even be five competing for these roles.

Arguments over who deserves a spot in the team instead of who is the least rubbish are the healthy discussions this team has needed.

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