By Sam Tonks
West Ham were inches from back-to-back derby wins at London Stadium as the retunring Javier Hernandez hit the bar late on in the Hammers' draw with Arsenal. Four points from two tough tests will impress manager David Moyes, but they did have the best opportunities of the evening and will feel they should’ve taken three points as opposed to one.
David Moyes entered his second London Derby in a row with an unchanged side looking for the same result.
As for Arsenal, it was four changes as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud all started in the league for the first time this season, Alex Iwobi was the final change. Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac were rested to the bench after their 1-1 draw at Southampton
Arsenal started with spells of early possession as West Ham struggled to get into the game. Maitland-Niles started very brightly down the left-hand side, crossing dangerous balls into Giroud.
After Arsenal controlled the tempo of the early exchanges, the visitors were stunned as West Ham had the ball in the net after 15 minutes. Artur Masuaku crossed from the left after a West Ham counter and man of the moment Marko Arnautovic headed brilliantly past Petr Cech, but the linesman’s flag followed.
That was the clearest chance of the first half with Arsenal frustrated in possession and lacking the killer final pass, whilst the Hammers threatened on the counter mainly via Arnautovic.
Into the second half, West Ham started solidly once more and held Arsenal at arm's length well as Adrian remained comfortable in goal. Arnautovic was continuing to be the outlet for West Ham and came close to scoring once more.
Pablo Zabaleta looped a hopeful cross in and Petr Cech came but didn’t claim. His half-hearted punch was gathered by the Austrian who didn’t connect fully, allowing Nacho Monreal to clear off the line.
David Moyes has added a stability to the Hammers and the Chelsea win has clearly boosted confidence as their direct approach troubled Arsenal all game. Winston Reid and Pablo Zabaleta in particular were resolute.
As for the visitors, a half chance in the area as the one cross a West Ham defender didn’t head, fell to Wilshere, but he fired over. The England man started for the first time in over 500 days in the league for Arsenal and showed his quality was still there as he ran the midfield for Arsenal, as well as getting a few good tackles in for extra measure.
As the game headed into added time, West Ham came even closer, inches from the win. Mark Noble fed Chicarito in the area, he unleashed a shot past Cech but the underside of the bar denied the Mexican a dream return as it bounced down and out.
The points were shared by the final whistle as West Ham kept their momentum up with another impressive result against a local rival at London Stadium.
