Reliving West Ham’s complete 1-0 win over Arsenal

History was against them, the pundits were against them, and the headlines were against them. Still, West Ham put everything behind them and focused on the match, securing a 1-0 win, climbing to 8th in the Premier League table, and glorifying their true superstar.

From start to finish this match provided tense situations and fireworks despite the benign 1-0 scoreline, starting with Pellegrini’s team selection.

The starting XI saw wantaway striker Marko Arnautovic starting for the Hammers. Post-match it has been all but confirmed that he’ll be off to China this month. A swan song perhaps, but Arnautovic is West Ham’s best striker so the start was inevitable regardless of the potential backlash.

Outside of Arnautovic making the start, Samir Nasri had his first Premier League start for West Ham in this match. He was in the #10 role and meshed well with every single Iron on the pitch. His passing is next level, and his ability to instigate give-and-go’s was very evident.

Aaron Cresswell also started and appears to have a strong hold on the left-back position over Arthur Masuaku. It could be situational, but Masuaku gives West Ham an option off the bench for a left-back as well as a left winger to relieve Anderson should need be.

The bench also offered more storylines as Reece Oxford, West Ham’s next best option at centre-back was absent, suggesting he’ll be off shortly. Ryan Fredericks, who was progressed well from injury was also not in the team, and Xande Silva was dropped for Lucas Perez.

It was an attacking team selection who entered the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 formation, taking it to the Gunners early and often throughout the match with attacking play.

The goal came in the 48th minute off of a scuffed corner. The ball was returned into a dangerous area and a toothless Granit Xhaka header saw the ball drop to Nasri who laid it off for Declan Rice who cooly curled it into the top corner of the net. Bernd Leno was helpless and motionless as the ball cruised in for Rice’s Premier League first.

No one deserved a goal more than Declan Rice for his performances so far this season. Rice has been getting more comfortable by the match in his new midfield match and is now joining the rush and getting into the opponents 18-yard box. This goal was the result of some relentless Iron’s pressure and Rice gets to enjoy the payoff.

The rest of the match was a tug-of-war between the two London sides, with Arsenal bringing on more of a midfield presence while West Ham refused to cede possession, staying on the front foot.

Andy Carroll’s substitution on in the 71st minute saw Arnautovic leave the pitch with a double handed wave to the crowd, a peculiar way to leave the pitch, to say the least. He proceeded to sit alone on the bench and keep to himself. He would later leave the ground before celebrating with the team and fans, although some reports suggest he returned back to the pitch.

Enough with speculation and onto the player performances.

This was Felipe Anderson’s best defensive performance of the season. He tracked back well and disrupted the Arsenal attack with their wingback attack in the first half. He also stunted on the Arsenal team, adjusting his gloves while marauding up the pitch, careless of the Gunners defenders.

Two former first-team players also impressed in Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna. Cresswell has been rounding into form as of late so that wasn’t too surprising, but Ogbonna holding his own against Abumayang and Lacazette was a pleasant surprise and one that the Hammers sincerely needed.

There can be a lot of pride in how the Irons played yesterday, before scoring, holding the lead, and seeing out the match. This is a massive building block for the team right now and long term. It couldn’t have come at a better time, too as the superstar Declan Rice could rise to eclipse the all but gone Marko Arnautovic.