Arsenal optimism dashed as West Ham claim win

Arsenal were shocked in their inaugural Premier League fixture by West Ham United after the Gunners were defeated 2-0 at their home ground.

The veteran Czech worldwide moved from Chelsea in a £10million summer deal, which was seen as move to provide the Gunners with an edge in the Barclays Premier League title challenge.

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The Irons, though, took the lead on 43 minutes.

Cech, signed from Premier League champions Chelsea during the close season, came flying out to punch Dimitri Payet’s free kick just before halftime but was beaten to the ball by the head of West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate. Second half at the Emirates was no different as the hosts dominated the play but looked out of ideas near the 18-yard-area.

West Ham doubled their lead on 57 minutes.

With French forward Olivier Giroud failing to repay Wenger’s faith after being handed a start ahead of Theo Walcott, Arsenal were mostly impotent in front of goal. Aaron Ramsey came close to breaking the deadlock when the Arsenal midfielder’s drive hit Aaron Cresswell and deflected onto the crossbar.

Sanchez was sent on with 23 minutes left, and there was a stoppage following a clash of heads between James Tomkins and Giroud in the West Ham six-yard box.

After treatment, the game continued with Oxlade-Chamberlain firing a rasping shot into the side netting.

The Gunners boss must have been horrified with the way his team, tipped to finally end the club’s 12-year wait to win the title, were bullied by West Ham, who ended a run of 10 successive defeats against Arsenal with their first win over their London rivals since April 2007.

“What an anti ******* anti climax!” They have the money, even though Wenger has played down a claim by an Arsenal director, Lord Harris, that the club has 200 million pounds ($310 million) in the bank.

Walcott and Sanchez were brought in but they couldn’t contribute much as Arsenal endure a awful start to their new campaign. Thereafter the pressure was on, when an early goal would have likely led to a convincing, one-sided victory.

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He told Sky Sports: “It was a dream debut, also playing in midfield too”. He’s [Bilic] come in and changed us. I had Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna behind me encouraging me.

“It’s an honour really to play for West Ham and be their youngest player“. Payet might just be the most accomplished West Ham footballer in a decade.

“I found out yesterday night and I was obviously happy”.

“I thought we had a fantastic game plan which the manager gave us”.