West Ham star who lost the ball every 3 touches just had his worst game in a long time

West Ham United recently suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal, a result that has placed manager Julen Lopetegui under renewed pressure. Despite having secured a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in their previous match, West Ham’s defense was exposed once again, conceding four goals within the first 36 minutes against Arsenal. Although they fought back with two quick goals, Bukayo Saka’s strike just before halftime put the game out of reach. This defeat leaves West Ham sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, and Lopetegui’s position could be at risk if results do not improve soon.

The club’s struggles this season are largely due to defensive vulnerabilities, with West Ham conceding an average of 16.4 shots per game, the fourth-highest in the league. Their inability to establish a solid defensive structure has allowed teams like Arsenal, Tottenham, and others to score multiple goals. The lack of mobility in central areas and disjointed pressing between the attack and defense has made it difficult for the team to stem the tide when under pressure. Against Arsenal, this was painfully evident as they quickly fell behind by four goals.

In addition to their defensive woes, West Ham’s attack also faltered in this match, particularly with captain Jarrod Bowen’s lack of influence on the game. Bowen, who was expected to lead by example, had one of his quietest performances in recent memory, earning a modest 5/10 rating from the Daily Mail. His contribution in the game was minimal, managing only 28 touches, which was fewer than goalkeeper Łukasz Fabianski, and making just nine successful passes. Bowen also failed to complete any of his four dribble attempts and was ineffective with his crosses. This lack of output from their captain was particularly damaging as West Ham were without key attacking partner Mohammed Kudus, who was unavailable due to suspension. Without Kudus to create opportunities, Bowen’s inability to step up left West Ham without a clear attacking threat, and Arsenal capitalized on this weakness.

Bowen has been a key player for West Ham this season, contributing four goals and three assists in 15 appearances. However, the team’s results seem to depend heavily on his form. Whenever Bowen has been involved in a goal, either through scoring or assisting, West Ham has managed to avoid defeat. His struggles in this game highlighted the importance of his role, and the team’s inability to perform without him in top form has been a recurring issue.

Looking ahead, West Ham faces another crucial match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. With Lopetegui’s job under threat, this match could be a “must-win” for the manager as he looks to steer the team away from the relegation zone. West Ham’s next few games will likely determine whether Lopetegui can turn things around or if the club will need to consider a managerial change. In the meantime, the team will need to address their defensive frailties and find ways to get more consistent performances from key players like Bowen. If they fail to do so, they risk becoming embroiled in a relegation battle that could further complicate their season.