Even though West Ham United fought back to draw against an Arsenal, who remain the best team in the league, there was the feeling the Hammers could have beat the Gunners at the weekend.
The big problem was that Mikel Arteta’s side scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the match, and it then was really hard for David Moyes’ team to get anything better than a draw.
After the game, West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá had a word with the Brazilian media. Speaking to ESPN Brasil, he talked about the frustration of his team constantly conceding goals at the start of games.
“Yeah, I think that’s been hurting us a little bit. It is not the first time that we start the game and already concede one, sometimes two goals, which makes it very difficult for us. It changes the whole plan, our whole strategy,” Lucas Paquetá told ESPN Brasil.
“But then, very calmly, when the goal came, we managed to put our style of play, put pressure on Arsenal and managed to tie the match. We also had the chance to make a comeback, yes, it was an open game. But I believe it was a very important point.”
Paquetá was asked about the change of attitude West Ham had during the game, as they managed to put great pressure on Arsenal’s defence.
“I think that after our goal, it gave us a little more confidence to press high, make their defenders give away the ball. So I think this change in attitude came through our goal. It gave us confidence and we started to realise on the pitch : ‘Hey, we can press, you can steal the ball and we can mark’. So that’s what we did.”
With the draw, West Ham now stand in 15th in the Premier League, four points away from the relegation zone and with one game less than most of their opponents.
And despite the mistakes shown the Hammers this season, they may be soon far away from any chances of relegation if they manage to continue scraping points here and there.
