West Ham United manager David Moyes was totally at a loss for words to explain his side’s horrendous capitulation in their 6-0 home defeat by a ruthless Arsenal side in the Premier League yesterday.
This joint-worst home league defeat in the club’s history proved absolutely unbearable for thousands of home fans who had begun to leave the London Stadium even before half-time as Arsenal went 4-0 up. Surprisingly, despite saying he was able to understand their anger, Moyes seemed more eager to point out his achievements at the club instead.
“A really poor day for us,” Moyes, who was once in charge of an Everton side that lost 6-1 at home to Arsenal, told reporters. “Very difficult to explain how we played so poorly.”
West Ham under Moyes have in the past strutted their arrogance as being hard to beat and, while not all fans like their style, they did win the Uefa Conference League last season. Despite what his detractors will say after this defeat, his side remains eighth in the table and in the last 16 of the Europa League.
“To be a football supporter, there’s always going to be bad times. Especially this club, who people know a lot more about than me – I came back twice to keep them out of relegation,” the Scot said. “It was only three months ago when we were having probably the best time West Ham have ever had.
“Let’s be fair, probably the last three years have been as good a time as West Ham have had.
“We’ve had a terrible day today. So I understand them, totally, in leaving. Sometimes at football clubs you’re going to have bad days. Today we had a bad day. But I certainly won’t forget the good ones.”
Yesterday’s result was even more surprising as West Ham had already beaten Arsenal twice this season.
“Today, I thought maybe we could have Arsenal’s number — but it was far, far from that,” Moyes said.