Paul Merson instantly reacts to Arsenal controversy v West Ham. Paul Merson gave his immediate reaction to a moment of controversy that ensued in the clash between West Ham and Arsenal as the Irons secured a crucial 1-0 win.
Having taken a surprise lead through the ever-trusted Jarrod Bowen last in the first half, the pressure was on the Gunners to come out and offer something different in the second half. Graham Potter’s decision to utilise a back five against the Gunners made it very difficult for the hosts to carve out any real opportunities while forcing them into some risks towards the latter stages of the game.
West Ham were able to keep their composure, while Arsenal started to lose their own, leading to a moment of controversy in the latter stages of the game.
Paul Merson in agreement with referee after Arsenal controversy. Just as the game was starting to get away from Arsenal, they were forced into taking more risks in order to get back into the game and started to deploy a higher defensive line as a result. While that aided them when in possession of the ball, it left them vulnerable from the counter-attack and West Ham certainly made them pay for it.
Mohammed Kudus, who has been a crucial figure for West Ham, latched onto a loose ball on the halfway line, before being hacked down by Myles Lewis-Skelly with the referee adjudging him to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Merson was in agreement with the red card given to the Arsenal defender when speaking live on Sky Sports News (22 February, 4:30pm)
Merson said: “100 per cent [Kudus] is having a shot on goal. [David] Raya is about 40 yards off his line, he’s got to get back and then he’d be one-on-one.
“It’s stopping a goalscoring opportunity.”
The Irons stuck to their gameplan throughout the clash and Graham Potter deserves plenty of credit for adopting that approach ahead of the game.
It could have been very easy for Potter to opt to start a more attacking lineup, but with the level of quality available, he evidently didn’t need to with Arsenal struggling to showcase any real quality in the final third.
West Ham since the appointment of Graham Potter
Having won just one of their six under Potter prior to this clash, this win will serve as a huge momentum boost for the Irons as they look to finish the season on a high. A home encounter with Leicester City is up next for the Irons, who will be favourites heading into the clash.
