Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League after a rampant first-half performance propelled them to a 5-2 victory over West Ham United.
All of the goals came in a remarkable opening period at London Stadium, where Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz put Arsenal 4-0 up inside 36 minutes.
But quickfire strikes from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson gave West Ham hope, though their chances of a comeback were quashed when Bukayo Saka, who also provided two assists, added Arsenal’s fifth on the stroke of half-time.
It is only the fourth time in Premier League history that there have been seven goals scored in a single half, but the Gunners put in a more measured display after the interval to ensure there was no hint of further drama.
Arsenal now sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who face a heavyweight clash with Manchester City on Sunday, while West Ham remain in 14th.
Saka created Arsenal’s first two goals, with his 10th-minute corner headed home by Gabriel, before the England winger laid it on a plate for Trossard to tuck in a second before the half-hour. In so doing, Saka became the first player to reach double figures for assists across Europe’s top five leagues.
Two goals in as many minutes then looked to have put the Gunners out of sight – Odegaard slotted in from the penalty spot after Lucas Paqueta had fouled Saka before Havertz profited from some slack defending to beat Lukasz Fabianski one-v-one.
However, Wan-Bissaka scored his second goal in as many games after ghosting in behind Arsenal’s defence, with Emerson’s stunning free-kick putting West Ham back into it.
Arsenal restored a three-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time. Gabriel was punched by Fabianski, with VAR confirming Anthony Taylor’s on-field decision of penalty, and Saka’s finish had too much power for West Ham’s goalkeeper.
Michail Antonio almost cut the deficit again after the break, though his effort deflected narrowly wide, while West Ham substitute Danny Ings could only drill wide after rounding David Raya late on as Arsenal held out for an emphatic triumph.
The Hammers’ win over Newcastle United on Monday eased some of the pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui, who had to watch this match from the stands due to suspension. However, there could be some scrutiny back on the Spaniard after the opening half.
The frustration in the stadium was palpable as Arsenal racked up four goals with relative ease, with some home fans leaving their seats as soon as Odegaard’s penalty hit the back of the net.
With flashbacks to their 6-0 defeat in this exact fixture last season surely crossing some minds, the home fans at least got some respite when West Ham pulled two back against the run of play.
Wan-Bissaka has the scoring touch at the moment, and finished coolly after latching on to a great ball from Carlos Soler, while Emerson’s free-kick, which clattered in off the woodwork, was delightful.
It was only a short-lived reprieve, though, as Arsenal took advantage of West Ham’s defensive sluggishness on another set-piece before the break, with Gabriel once again given too much freedom before he was taken out by Fabianski’s punch.
Edson Alvarez was brought on at half-time to try and steady the West Ham ship, and the hosts did appear more balanced, but they are yet to find consistency, something Lopetegui will need to address sooner rather than later if the Hammers are to stay clear of danger.
Premier League Report
