Match Report:Arsenal 0-2 Westham

 

SUMMARY

Arsenal lost their opening match of the new Premier League season against West Ham on a disappointing afternoon at Emirates Stadium.
After an encouraging pre-season, the Gunners came into the game with a real sense of optimism and they made a positive start here.
They came close to the opening goal when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain volleyed just over, before Aaron Ramsey later struck the bar.
But with the visitors proving a real threat themselves, the game was finely poised - and West Ham took control just before the interval when Cheikhou Kouyate headed in.
The Gunners upped the ante after the break with Olivier Giroud twice going close, but just as they were starting to exert real pressure they fell further behind as Mauro Zarate scored.
Arsène Wenger brought Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez off the bench, but they could not drag their team back into the game against a well-organised West Ham side.
So a frustrating result to start the campaign with, but the Gunners will have to pick themselves up quickly ahead of another London derby next weekend against Crystal Palace.

SETTING THE SCENE

With the Emirates bathed in glorious sunshine, it had seemed the perfect afternoon to welcome Premier League football back to north London.
After such a positive pre-season, the Gunners came into the game in good spirits and with heightened expectations. In the days leading up to the big kick off, the manager and his squad had been keen to stress the importance of a fast start.
Arsenal had won their nine previous encounters against West Ham and were unbeaten in 14, while Giroud - in for Walcott - had five goals in his five Premier League appearances against the Hammers.
The only other change to the team saw Hector Bellerin - out with a muscular injury - replaced at right back by Mathieu Debuchy. Santi Cazorla was included for his 150th appearance for the club, while Laurent Koscielny made his 200th start.
West Ham, meanwhile, had to do without Carl Jenkinson - ineligible against his parent club - but they included 16-year-old Reece Oxford. The teenager was 18 days younger than Jack Wilshere when he made his Premier League debut against Blackburn in September 2008.