If that sensational nine-minute flurry is indicative of what a Freddie Ljungberg side is supposed to represent, perhaps
Arsenal will not have to look elsewhere for Unai Emery’s replacement. After an hour of ineptitude the gloom lifted and a night that had threatened to push this wounded club deeper into turmoil ended with Ljungberg on the pitch, hugging his victorious players and celebrating in front of a jubilant and rather surprised away end.
Nobody had seen the turnaround coming at half-time, with West Ham in charge, in the lead and delighted to hear Arsenal booed off by the travelling support. Yet the home sections would empty out long before the end. Arsenal had belatedly discovered their swagger and, when it was done, Ljungberg, his wait for a win over at the third time of asking, clenched a fist and reflected on his bold calls paying off.