Report: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham (inc goals)

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah

Subs: Turner, Cedric, Zinchenko, Holding, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Marquinhos, Cozier-Duberry

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Arsenal picked up where they left off before the World Cup break, coming from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 at the Emirates this evening.

The Gunners had the ball in the net in the 5th minute, Bukayo Saka rifling beyond Lukasz Fabianski, however the goal was ruled out for offside. First replays made it look like the goal should stand, but Martin Odegaard’s through ball hit Saka on the way to Eddie Nketiah and the offside decision was correct.

Jarrod Bowen picked up an 8th minute booking for a foul on Martinelli, Xhaka had a pop which was easy for Fabianski, and it was as if the players were feeling their way back into action after the World Cup break.

Some of that rustiness was evident in Arsenal’s defending when William Saliba failed to deal with a bouncing ball, then slid in on Bowen to give the Hammers a penalty. Said Benrahma made no mistake from the spot to make it 0-1.

Arsenal found it tough going against opposition who sat deep and looked to counter. There were moments of pressure as we played most of the game in their half, but very little in the way of clear cut chances.

As the first half entered the final minute of injury time, it looked as if we’d have a chance to level from the spot, when it appeared as if Aaron Creswell handled an Odegaard shot. Michael Oliver pointed for the penalty, but the decision was overturned after replays showed the ball hit the West Ham man in the head.

There was early danger in the second half when Antonio got in behind to force a save from Ramsdale, but belatedly the offside flag went up. Partey forced Fabianski into a save moments later, and in the 53rd minute Arsenal were level. Odegaard took a shot, miscued it, and it turned into a great pass for Saka who was played onside by Coufal. He slotted into the bottom corner. 1-1

5 minutes later, the reds were ahead. Arsenal kept possession and worked it nicely through midfield, Xhaka played it to Martinelli whose shot from a tight angle beat Fabianski at his near post. 2-1.

The goal led to a rigorous rendition of “One Arsene Wenger!”, to salute the former boss who was back at the Emirates for the first time since his departure in 2018.

In the 68th minute, the Gunners struck again. Again, good build-up around the box, a lovely touch from Ben White saw him feed Nketiah, who span the defender and finished low into the bottom corner. 3-1.

Mikel Arteta then made his first change, bringing on Oleksandr Zinchenko for Tierney, as Xhaka got lucky to avoid a yellow for a foul on Antonio. Odegaard curled a shot wide, Martinelli could have played in Saka but overhit his cross, and the captain again had a sight of goal but missed the target.

Saka created for Odegaard again but this time his shot was headed clear, Fabio Vieira came on to replace Martinelli in the 88th minute, and again chants rang out for Arsene Wenger as the game came to a close and our lead at the top of the table was extended.