The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
– Atletico await –
Wenger can still sign off leaving the club in the Champions League by winning the Europa League, where Arsenal host Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.
He named a strong side against West Ham with only Petr Cech, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil missing from the expected XI to face Atletico in midweek.
However, amidst a surprisingly low-key atmosphere in the circumstances, the visitors’ greater need for the points shone through with a bright start.
Let’s fight until the end ?#MerciArsène https://t.co/CAK8DmneJ6
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 22, 2018
Marko Arnautovic was denied from a narrow angle by David Ospina before Cheikhou Kouyate’s looping header came back off the top of the crossbar.
However, Arsenal appeared a different side after the break to the one that laboured in the first half and Monreal put them ahead on 51 minutes by guiding Granit Xhaka’s corner into the bottom corner to punish some awful West Ham marking.
West Ham manager David Moyes reacted by sending on Manuel Lanzini and Javier Hernandez from the bench and was rewarded almost instantly as the former’s cute through ball was smashed home by Arnautovic.
Joe Hart did his chances of making England’s World Cup squad no harm with stunning saves from Xhaka and Danny Welbeck.
Can you sum up all your emotions, boss?
? “Not really. I’m touched by all the praise I’ve received from everyone in English football. I’ve been able to see the sensational development of the @premierleague in 20 years and I’m very honoured.”
Tune in ? https://t.co/fh4FyeG5tv pic.twitter.com/Hg1lA9bLz1
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 22, 2018
However, he was caught flat-footed when Declan Rice ducked out the way of Aaron Ramsey’s cross eight minutes from time and the ball floated into the far corner.
“Up until 82 minutes we were looking well worthy of a point,” said Moyes.
“The young player makes a really poor mistake on the second goal. I hope he learns from it because he’s got big potential, but I think it really flattened the team.”
And Arsenal piled on more mistery for the Hammers as Lacazette twice fired home from close range in the final five minutes.
Defeat leaves West Ham still seven points above the relegation zone, but their chances of survival were boosted as Stoke failed to beat Burnley in a 1-1 draw to remain four points off safety.
Badou Ndiaye had given the hosts the lead in the Potteries, but Ashley Barnes’s leveller just after the hour mark means Paul Lambert’s men need to win at least two of their remaining three fixtures to have any chance of beating the drop.
