Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to West Ham

Negative #3: Failing full-backs form dodgy defensive shape

Given how much Arteta loves to spend money on the position, you'd think full-back would be a team strength. It was anything but in this particular London derby, as the Hammers repeatedly exploited wide areas with direct running.

Riccardo Calafiori, one of last summer's signings made at the expense of a striker, winger or playmaker, couldn't handle Aaron Wan-Bissaka's raiding runs. He's hardly known as a flying full-back, but Wan-Bissaka resembled peak Cafu whenever he flew forward.

His rapid breaks and precise crossing teed up Bowen with enough chances for the forward to bag a hat-trick. Bowen couldn't profit, but his freedom in the box was typical of the confusion at the heart of the Arsenal back four.

It was chaotic when Bowen got free to head in what proved to be the winner. Wan-Bissaka broke forward and too easily fooled Calafiori, Declan Rice (of all people) jogged instead of sprinted back to keep up with runners.

Gabriel was drawn too far toward the ball, and Rice was beaten by Bowen's run. It didn't help William Saliba was too focused on Kudus to close the gap to Bowen because right-back Jurrien Timber had been caught out of position and too far upfield by the counter-attack.

This was typical of the breakdowns that happened every time West Ham broke on the flanks. Nothing changed even after Arteta swapped the flailing Calafiori for Lewis-Skelly, who has been shoe-horned into playing a position that should be filled by any one of three expensive signings.

Defensive solidity has been the one pillar Arteta has retreated behind in tough times. If that goes, the project will unravel at an alarming rate.

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