Worst Moment Ever West Ham star who lost the ball every 3 touches had his worst game in a long time
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui, who had recently bolstered his standing with a spirited 2-0 victory over Newcastle, found himself under the microscope again following a crushing 5-2 defeat to Arsenal at the London Stadium. The match exposed deep-rooted issues within the team, both defensively and offensively, and has reignited questions about Lopetegui’s future at the club.
Arsenal’s Early Blitz Leaves West Ham Staggering
The game started disastrously for West Ham, with Arsenal racing to an almost unassailable 4-0 lead within just 36 minutes. While the Hammers showed resilience by clawing back two quick goals, any hope of a comeback was extinguished when Bukayo Saka struck just before halftime to restore the Gunners’ three-goal cushion.
Despite the result, West Ham remain 14th in the Premier League. However, such lopsided defeats could jeopardize Lopetegui’s position, as expectations rise for the team to show consistent improvement.
Defensive Fragility Persists
One of West Ham’s most glaring issues this season has been their defensive frailty. The team has struggled to adapt to Lopetegui’s control-based system, with their defensive record making for grim reading. They currently concede an average of 16.4 shots per game, the fourth-worst in the division.
A lack of mobility in central midfield, coupled with a disjointed defensive structure, has left West Ham vulnerable to teams with dynamic attacking play. Arsenal’s five goals followed similar defensive collapses against Tottenham (4 goals), Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Manchester City (3 goals each).
Attacking Struggles Compound Problems
The defensive woes were matched by an equally toothless attacking display against Arsenal. Jarrod Bowen, the team’s captain and attacking talisman, delivered one of his most underwhelming performances of the season. Bowen, who took on additional leadership responsibilities following Declan Rice’s departure, was virtually anonymous throughout the game.
Bowen’s Lackluster Outing
The Daily Mail rated Bowen’s performance a disappointing 5/10, highlighting his inability to influence proceedings. The winger managed just 28 touches—13 fewer than goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański—completed only nine passes, and failed with all his crossing and dribbling attempts. To compound matters, he lost possession ten times.
Bowen’s quiet night was especially damaging in the absence of Mohammed Kudus, who was suspended. Without Kudus, the team lacked a creative outlet, allowing Arsenal to dominate possession and suffocate West Ham’s attack.
Bowen’s performance underscored a worrying trend: West Ham heavily rely on their captain for attacking contributions. This season, Bowen has made 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Crucially, the Hammers have won or drawn every game in which Bowen has directly contributed to a goal.
A Defining Moment for Lopetegui
With mounting pressure and a string of poor defensive and attacking displays, Lopetegui faces a critical juncture in his tenure at West Ham. The upcoming clash against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium is shaping up to be a must-win encounter.
A defeat could plunge the Hammers closer to the relegation zone and further endanger Lopetegui’s position as manager. However, a strong performance could provide a much-needed morale boost and buy him precious time to implement his long-term vision.
For Lopetegui and West Ham, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they seek to stabilize a turbulent season and climb the Premier League table.
