Arsenal go down 2-0 against West Ham United in their Premier League opener
Arsenal were shocked in their inaugural Premier League fixture by West Ham United after the Gunners were defeated 2-0 at their home ground. The Gunners started off in typical fashion, dictating the proceedings with their possession play but a first half goal from Kouyate changed the complexion of the game before Mauro Zarate’s low driven effort finished off Arsene Wenger’s men.
The defending FA cup champions were missing star forwards Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in their starting lineup as they were included in the reserves while Oliver Giroud lead the front line as the lone striker.
While both sides didn’t have clear cut chances, The Hammers looked dangerous on the break with their new signing Dimitri Payet looking sharp as he was involved amidst all of their attacking play. The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute after Payet’s delivery from a dead ball situation was met by Kouyate who was first to reach to it as he headed the ball into the back of the net before an outstretched Peter Cech who failed to grab hold of it.
The scoreline remained 1-0 in the first half as both teams headed into their dressing rooms. Second half at the Emirates was no different as the hosts dominated the play but looked out of ideas near the 18-yard-area. But West Ham doubled their lead in the 57th minute after Zarate finished off a low driven shot into the right corner as Cech could only watch it go past him.
Walcott (57’) and Sanchez (67’) were brought in from the bench by Wenger to turn around his team’s fortunes, but they couldn’t contribute much as it stayed 2-0 until the final whistle. The best chance in the second half fell for Giroud after Chamberlain’s low driven cross from the right wing found the French international whose wayward effort over the bar summed up a frustrating game for his side.
This was the first victory for The Hammers against their London counterparts in over 16 attempts as their last win came back in 2007. Arsenal looked out of ideas as the game progressed, eventually failing to produce a comeback and faltering in their first competitive fixture as West Ham picked all three points at the Emirates.