“Arsenal’s Grip, Salah’s Grit — and Sullivan’s Tough Call”
The Premier League continues to deliver contrasting narratives — with one side commanding control, another facing internal turbulence, and across it all, the decisive hand of leadership. In this breakdown, we look at how Arsenal flexed control against West Ham United, how Mohamed Salah wrestles with frustration at Liverpool, and why Hammers boss David Sullivan made a difficult decision behind the scenes.
Arsenal’s Control
Arsenal’s recent 2-0 victory over West Ham was textbook dominance. They sustained possession, dictated tempo, pressed intelligently, and never allowed West Ham into the rhythm of the game. (NBC Sports) The tactical shape — a hybrid 3-4-3/3-2-4-1 — enabled them to overload the centre, stretch West Ham wide, and force long clearances. (thebrace.co.za) Defensive solidity remains a hallmark: Arsenal concede among the fewest expected-goals in the league and consistently limit shots and high quality chances against them. (whufc.com)
That combination of structure and press, of calculated risk in attack and discipline in defence, underscores why Arsenal now appear more than just contenders — they look like a team with self-belief and operational clarity. West Ham, by contrast, were forced into reactive mode, never quite escaping the grip.
Salah’s Frustration
Meanwhile, two hours north of North London, Mohamed Salah finds himself in a troubling vein of form at Liverpool. While the statistics show he remains creating chances and taking shots, the conversion and impact have dipped. Analysts have flagged that his non-penalty goals are down significantly and that his defensive contribution (tracking back, pressing) is now seen as “a little problem”. (Opta Analyst)
Salah himself acknowledged the maddening frustration within the squad after a sloppy first half in a comeback win, saying, “It was a bit of frustration … his head was going for us”. (Outlook India) Though he scored twice after the break in that game, the wider pattern is sobering: his finishing, his influence in open play and his defensive intensity are all under scrutiny. The new formations and squad changes at Liverpool may not be serving him as naturally as previous seasons.
And for a player whose motivation is rooted in winning the league — he has said it outright: he is “desperate” to win the Premier League with the club. (This Is Anfield) That gap between desire and delivery is what fuels the frustration.
Sullivan’s Tough Decision at West Ham
At West Ham, the boardroom is echoing the turbulence on the pitch. Chairman David Sullivan has made a stark call: after a poor start to the season and results that failed to align with ambitions, the club moved to dismiss their head coach mid-campaign. (Reuters) In effect, the decision underscores that under Sullivan’s stewardship, “business as usual” has limits — and the margin for patience is thin.
From the reporting surface, Sullivan’s move appears less about scapegoating one individual and more about sending a message: the club’s expectations are non-negotiable. Some fans interpret it as long-overdue accountability; others see a cycle of short-term fixes. The key point: behind the scenes, leadership chose to act.
Final Thoughts
What ties these three vignettes together is this: control, frustration, and decision-making. Arsenal have control. Salah is frustrated. West Ham’s board made a decision. They sit at different ends of the emotional spectrum of football — dominance, disquiet, and governance — but they all reflect how fine margins determine trajectories in the Premier League.
If I were to close with implication: Arsenal look poised; Liverpool need Salah and the team to rediscover rhythm; West Ham must hope the management reset yields stability rather than yet another cycle.
