Arsenal delivered a stunning attacking display to defeat West Ham United 5-2 at the London Stadium on Saturday, climbing to second place in the Premier League table. The first half was a spectacle, with all seven goals scored before the break, as Mikel Arteta‘s side made a resounding statement in the title race.
The Gunners, who struggled earlier this month with a four-match winless run, appear to have rediscovered their form, scoring 13 goals in their last three matches. With captain Martin Odegaard back in the lineup, Arsenal looked unstoppable, combining sharp attacking moves with a clinical edge in front of goal.
Bukayo Saka set the tone with an assist from a corner that Gabriel Magalhães headed in after nine minutes. Leandro Trossard doubled the lead before Odegaard converted from the penalty spot after Saka was fouled. Moments later, Trossard set up Kai Havertz to make it 4-0.
West Ham fought back through Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a sensational free kick from Emerson Palmieri, briefly rattling Arsenal. However, Saka restored calm, slotting home a penalty after Lukasz Fabianski fouled Gabriel in a crowded area.
Arteta described the opening period as “spectacular,” adding that the fifth goal allowed his team to control the game and play at their pace. Arsenal now have 25 points, six behind league leaders Liverpool.
Other EPL results of the day
- Brentford cruised to a 4-1 victory over Leicester City, with Kevin Schade netting a hat-trick. New Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy watched from the stands as his side fell to their seventh defeat of the season.
- Bournemouth secured a thrilling 4-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Justin Kluivert making history as the first player to score a hat-trick of penalties in the Premier League.
- Nottingham Forest edged Ipswich Town 1-0, thanks to Chris Wood’s penalty, which also made him the club’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 24 goals.
- Crystal Palace rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United, with Daniel Munoz heading in a stoppage-time equalizer after Marc Guehi’s own goal had put the visitors ahead.
Blockbuster Sunday
The focus now shifts to Sunday, where Liverpool host Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash that could see the Reds extend their lead to 11 points. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are also in action as the weekend promises more drama in the Premier League.