Pain in the Arsenal
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3 positives & negatives from Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham

By Mitch Peotter

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Kieran Tierney after scoring their side's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Kieran Tierney after scoring their side's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
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Positive #2: Nketiah’s opportunity

Eddie Nketiah was on the scoresheet on Boxing Day (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah was on the scoresheet on Boxing Day (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

So many fans have been doubting Eddie Nketiah after Gabriel Jesus’ injury. He got his chance on Boxing Day to prove the doubters wrong and the young striker did just that.

The Hale End graduate’s goal was sublime but he played an outstanding game outside of that. He will not bring exactly what Jesus brought to this Arsenal team, but Eddie is far from a bad player to have leading the line until the Brazilian returns.

Negative #2: Kickoff routine

I’m really scraping the barrel here… (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
I’m really scraping the barrel here… (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here in terms of negatives but something I noticed in the match was Arsenal’s kickoff routine. Aaron Ramsdale’s long balls are a dynamic part of his game and when the Gunners kick off they’ll send the ball back to him to launch forward.

It just seemed ineffective today with Arsenal not winning the initial or second ball on the kickoff and it seems weird to seemingly give possession away just like that.

Niche, I know.

Continued on the next slide…

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