Ray Parlour delivers honest assessment on Arsenal after victory over West Ham

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Arsenal secured a much-needed victory over West Ham United last night. The Gunners came from behind to win 3-1 at the London Stadium and boost morale at the club.

Angelo Ogbonna put the Hammers in front at the break but goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw Arsenal fight back.

It was the first victory in nine games for the Gunners in all competitions and gave interim boss Freddie Ljungberg something to smile about.

The defeat to Brighton last midweek had threatened to make the atmosphere toxic around the club. This win, however, needs to be the catalyst for Arsenal to press ahead for the rest of the season.

One man who knows all about playing in successful Arsenal teams is Ray Parlour.

He was at the London Stadium last night and tweeted contrasting fortunes at half-time and at the full-time whistle.

At the half time break he described the Gunners’ performance as ‘painful’ and didn’t seem too pleased to be sat among the West Ham faithful:

Despair turned to joy at full-time, however. After three goals in nine second-half minutes, Arsenal turned the game on its head; much to the delight of former winger Parlour.

He also offered some thoughts on the managerial situation at the London Stadium.

Arsenal recently replaced Unai Emery and he thinks West Ham might be in the same boat soon:

Manuel Pellegrini does look to be clinging to his job. The Hammers are perilously close to the Premier League relegation zone and changes might be necessary in the foreseeable.

Mentality

Last night’s game perhaps suggested a mental problem for some of the West Ham players.

An injury to Aaron Cresswell saw him replaced by Arthur Masuaku and that saw Nicolas Pepe come into the game.

Next up for Arsenal in the Premier League is Manchester City and that will provide them with a different challenge completely.