David Moyes has given his opinions on Arsenal's progress under Mikel Arteta this season after their 2-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. The game got off to a very slow start and the deadlock was only broken when Rob Holding rose high from a corner to nod the Gunners in front.
Their lead didn't last long though as Jarrod Bowen's half volley deflected of Gabriel past Aaron Ramsdale right on the stroke of halftime. Not long after the break Arsenal were back in front though as Gabriel Martinelli latched on to a second ball from another corner and crossed to Gabriel who nodded home.
Moyes was forced to make several changes to his side due to the fact that they are in between crucial Europa League semi-final legs against Eintracht Frankfurt. Speaking after the game the Scottish coach revealed he feels a lack of continental football has helped Arsenal into a position where they could qualify for next season's Champions League
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"My goodness, it’s made a difference from day one," he said when asked if the Gunners' failure to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years had played a part in their good recent run. "Arsenal’s improvement this year is incredible because probably not being involved in Europe has given them a chance to prepare correctly for games.
"They had a little bit of a slow start to the season, but Arsenal have been in terrific form all season. When you’ve got a young team and you’re trying to get a good enough squad together (it’s hard). Even last year Arsenal got to the semi-finals of the Europa League and we’re in it this year. It became quite a difficult season for them because of that and we’re a bit the same."
Moyes was, however, slightly less positive about the winning goal that Arsenal got on the day. In the build-up to Martinelli's cross, Holding went in for a header, although the West Ham boss felt that the 26-year-old had used his arm in the aerial duel, and therefore felt the goal should have been disallowed.
"Yeah I do," he said when asked if he felt Gabriel's goal should have been ruled out. "I’ve seen that Rob Holding is up to head it and he doesn’t actually get it and it hits his arm. It’s not stopped.
"I think if the referee maybe sees it he stops it, but I don’t think he’s seen it. Then it’s gone to the back post, (Martinelli’s) chipped it and then (Gabriel) puts it in at the back post."
