Mark Schwarzer lauded Craig Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live (15/12, 21:21) for keeping West Ham United in the game before David Moyes’ side fell two down at Arsenal on Wednesday.
The Irons suffered a fifth defeat of the Premier League term so far at the Emirates Stadium after second-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe. Lukasz Fabianski also kept Alexandre Lacazette from scoring, after he saved the Frenchman’s penalty attempt.
Arsenal enjoyed a wealth of chances to find the back of the West Ham net before and after Martinelli scored. But a no-nonsense display from Dawson helped the Irons keep in touch.
Dawson produced a number of vital tackles, blocks and clearances, as often the last line of West Ham’s defence. His tackle to stop Martinelli scoring before the break also ensured the Hammers entered half-time level, despite their relentless defending.
Schwarzer hails Dawson display in West Ham loss at Arsenal
Dawson impressed former Fulham goalkeeper Schwarzer with his tireless work defending the West Ham net at Arsenal. The player-turned-pundit hailed the 31-year-old for keeping Moyes’ side in the game for as long as possible before Smith Rowe ended the contest.
“Craig Dawson has been huge for West Ham tonight,” Schwarzer said. “He is keeping them in the game. Even though Arsenal have controlled for large parts of this game, West Ham are still very much in it.”
Dawson a silver lining of defeat in north London
Moyes will have been counting his blessings for the display Dawson delivered as the silver lining of West Ham’s defeat while one behind to Arsenal. He kept the Irons within reach and with a chance of snatching a point, but a quiet offence proved costly.
Dawson did all he could to weather the Arsenal storm as those in a West Ham shirt around him struggled. But his display was not perfect, either, despite offering a bright presence.
Being critical, it could be argued that Dawson may have been able to do more to prevent Martinelli scoring. The Hammers ace stepped out of their backline as Lacazette collected possession, leaving space for the Brazilian to run into.
He then did not recover the yard as Martinelli burst past Vladimir Coufal, giving the Arsenal forward room to shoot. But the Gunners’ pressure was bound to pay out at some stage.
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