EMIRATES STADIUM — Nothing summed up Arsenal’s futile hunt for a goal against West Ham more than David Raya jogging optimistically up for a corner deep into added time before hurtling back towards the halfway line after it had been cleared.
Arsenal deployed a career central midfielder as a striker for 90 minutes and partnered him with a centre-back for the eight added on at the end. It was little wonder they looked so toothless.
The legacy of 'Black Arsenal' - and a generation following in their footsteps
Read MoreSpeaking after his double at the King Power, Merino revealed he hadn’t played as a number nine since he was nine. On Saturday, he looked like someone attempting to get to grips with a role he hadn’t played in almost two decades.
Mikel Arteta talked up Merino’s versatility after Arsenal had tempted the Basque away from Real Sociedad, but he can’t have envisaged needing to use him as his leading centre forward to spearhead a title tilt.
Standing at an imposing 6ft 2in and renowned for his aerial ability, Merino was arguably a more natural fit for this Arsenal, a team who have made set-pieces sexy again, than either Leandro Trossard or Ethan Nwaneri. More subtlety is required moving forward.
But his emergency role is a symptom of a wider problem. Arsenal’s inaction in the January transfer window will haunt them.
Arsenal had four times more attempts on goal than West Ham but rarely looked like scoring with any of them. Arteta admitted afterwards that he was “angry” and that his team were “nowhere near the levels” but refused to blame his current lack of firepower on the outcome.
That is likely to be a theme of the coming weeks until Bukayo Saka and Martinelli return from hamstring strains.
Graham Potter was even able to chuck Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson on towards the end. Danny Ings was an unused sub. How Arteta would love to have such luxuries at his disposal.
Arsenal's revenue hits £605m - how it could boost transfers and stadium plans
Read MoreThe Arsenal captain’s decision to roll the ball back to Gabriel from a free-kick 10 minutes or so from time led to loud boos from the home fans desperate for the ball to be launched into the mixer.
West Ham played like a David Moyes team rather than a Graham Potter one. They defended deep, were compact out of possession and a threat on the counter.
On this occasion, the difference between the teams was obvious, a team with goalscorers beating one without any.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The David Raya moment that summed up Arsenal’s blunt attack )
Also on site :