After 46 days, nine games & 19 goals conceded

The Gunners ended their worst slump for 42 years when they came from behind to beat West Ham on Monday thanks to some big calls from Freddie Ljungberg

It was a run that stretched 46 days but Arsenal’s win at West Ham on Monday night finally brought an end to the club’s worst slump in 42 years.

Since beating Vitoria 3-2 on October 24, there had been nine attempts at victory in three different competitions – but all had ended in failure.

Unai Emery lost his job after attempt number seven and Freddie Ljungberg had already seen two opportunities pass him by after being named as interim boss following the Spaniard’s dismissal on November 29.


However, on Monday night, a victory finally arrived and it was somewhat ironic that after nine games without a win – it was nine thrilling second half minutes at West Ham that got Arsenal back on track.

For an hour, it had looked like a case of the same old story for Arsenal. They were lethargic, they were lacking in quality and they were behind.

But then, Gabriel Martinelli – the Brazilian teenager who had been boldly handed his first ever Premier League start by Ljungberg at the expense of Alexandre Lacazette – turned the game on its head.

Out of nowhere, he popped up to haul Arsenal level with a clinical finish from Sead Kolasinac’s cut-back and Arsenal suddenly looked reborn.

Within six minutes they were ahead and it was Nicolas Pepe – another player brought into the starting XI by Ljungberg – who struck, curling a wonderful finish into the top corner to score his first goal from open play following his £72 million ($95m) summer move from Lille.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then added a third from a Pepe cross to kill off West Ham and allow Arsenal the luxury to cruise through the remainder of the game at the London Stadium in second gear.





GOAL