Arsenal vs West Ham United - Premier League

An 8 o'clock kickoff. I was up in London early to take my council laptop back and to meet my "work wife" Julie for a coffee.

The latter took longer as we chatted face to face in Starbucks at Highbury Corner. About work, holidays planned, holidays cancelled and of course the dreaded C19!

It was gone 7 when we parted and I hurried to the ground.

We had to be prepared to show Covid "passport" but that didn't happen.

Inside we were told to wear masks inside enclosed areas. About 20% compliance. Although many were eating and drinking. Difficult with a mask.

As for the game. Arsenal pretty much the better side and closer to scoring. Yet it was all square at half time.

Instead of cocoa our lads must have had something invigorating!

Martinelli out paced the defence and a low right footed shot beat Fabianski. 

Apart from a couple of mistakes, allied with yet again dropping too deep, it was Arsenal all the way.

Lacazette got a penalty when Coufal took him and the ball. Coufal saw the red card for the offence. Lacazette then took a poor penalty and Fabianski saved it.

Still the Hammers held on under heavy pressure. Saka fed Smith-Rowe who burst forward and his early shot slipped inside the post. 2-0.

In the end the red card wasn't the disaster it could have been.

For Arsenal another clean sheet, and up to 4th in the table.