Jack Elderton –

During West Ham’s second half capitulation at The Emirates on Monday night, it felt as though David Moyes’ team were two steps behind Arsenal. And while there is no shame in losing to an Arsenal team that have only dropped four points in the league this season and look well on course for a first title since 2004, the manner of the defeat has heightened concern within the fanbase.

After a six week break to review the first half of the season, David Moyes set his side up in a familiar 4-2-3-1 shape with Lucas Paquetá featuring in the number ten position behind Michail Antonio – Gianluca Scamacca missed the game with an ankle injury sustained in the mid-season friendly with Fulham thanks to a heavy tackle from former West Ham defender Issa Diop. And the Hammers employed a familiarly passive off-ball approach that has run through many of their matches so far this season. Where they had recorded a PPDA of 12.48 away at Arsenal last season, they managed just 20.8 PPDA this time, getting through the first half an hour with a whopping 31.65.

The lack of development or meaningful change to the tactical approach is what has been most galling for fans. In the period prior to the break, Moyes’ side had looked bereft of ideas in games against Crystal Palace and Leicester and although they were leading at half-time against Arsenal, the story of the match was perhaps not quite as positive as the scoreline might have indicated. Though West Ham deserved credit for some resolute deep defending, the momentum was largely with Arsenal thanks, mainly, to the ease with which they were able to progress the ball through West Ham’s dysfunctional mid-block.

Mikel Arteta’s team began the game utilising the 3-1 build-up shape (with flexibility to become a 3-2 or 3-3) that we have all become familiar with when watching the Gunners this season, while Moyes’ side opted for the same 4-4-2 defensive shape seen before the break.

By Jack Elderton