Arsenal got here from behind to safe a convincing 3-1 win over London rivals West Ham United on the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day (26 December).
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Edward Nketiah every scored a aim for the Gunners after Stated Benrahma fired the Hammers in entrance within the first half.
The Premier League leaders loved a high-quality begin to the sport, effortlessly discovering one another with crisp passes. It solely took them 5 minutes to ripple the again of West Ham United’s netting. Martin Odegaard performed a go for Saka, who let it run via to Nketiah. The striker well fed the ball to Saka, who completed off the transfer from shut vary. Sadly for Mikel Arteta’s aspect, the aim was dominated out for offside within the buildup.
Within the twenty fourth minute, Saka directed Thomas Partey’s cross into Odegaard’s path. The Arsenal skipper did nicely to get his shot away however ended up hitting the side-netting. A few minutes later, William Saliba recklessly introduced down Jarrod Bowen contained in the Gunners’ field, prompting the referee to level to the spot. Benrahma stepped up and hammered his spot kick down the center of the aim to place West Ham forward.
In first-half damage time, the referee awarded a penalty to Arsenal after Martinelli’s outside-the-box effort seemingly hit Aaron Cresswell’s prolonged arm. Upon nearer inspection, VAR overturned the choice, discovering no infraction because the defender had made contact together with his head.
Eight minutes into the second 45, Saka drew the hosts stage, intercepting Odegaard’s shot and turning it previous Lukasz Fabianski from shut vary. 5 minutes later, Martinelli accomplished the turnaround, beating Fabianski at his close to submit.
Nketiah, who began instead of the injured Gabriel Jesus, scored the insurance coverage aim within the 69th minute. Odegaard discovered the ahead in area contained in the field, and he made no mistake slotting the ball into the far-bottom nook.
Arsenal maintained their stranglehold for the rest of the sport, with the guests failing to create something of notice. The win saved Arteta’s boys in first place with 40 factors after 15 matches. Newcastle United are second with 33 factors in 16 video games, whereas Metropolis stay in third with 32 factors in 14 matches.
Listed below are 5 Gunners who fired on all cylinders to propel their group to a morale-boosting win of their Premier League return:
#5 Edward Nketiah
Set to function Arsenal’s first-choice center-forward in Jesus’ absence, Nketiah placed on fairly a present. He confirmed loads of initiative, linked up nicely with teammates, and scored a neat aim within the 69th minute.
Receiving a go from Odegaard, Nketiah swiveled previous an unsuspecting Thilo Kehrer and located the bottom-left nook of West Ham United’s aim with a tidy end.
Nketiah accomplished 22 passes (91.7% accuracy), gained 4 duels, and drew a foul in opposition to West Ham United. He additionally made a sort out and tried two dribbles.
#4 Granit Xhaka
Whereas Partey held the fort, Xhaka ventured ahead each probability he obtained and ultimately arrange Martinelli’s aim within the 58th minute. The left-central midfielder discovered himself in possession on the sting of the field and fed Martinelli down the left wing. The Brazilian reduce in and beat Fabianski at his close to submit.
has been a welcome and surprising growth and I for one am right here for it
The Granit Xhaka Redemption Tour ™️ has been a welcome and surprising growth and I for one am right here for it https://t.co/Nbdzy3UbBN
Xhaka performed two key passes in opposition to West Ham United. He additionally delivered two correct lengthy balls, accomplished a dribble, gained 5 floor duels, and drew two fouls.
#3 Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey was the metronome of the Gunners’ midfield. He dictated the tempo of the sport together with his brief passes, all the time made himself out there and was formidable in a single on one conditions. Partey’s lengthy balls have been menacing as nicely and saved the West Ham defenders on their toes all night time lengthy.
🇬🇭 Thomas Partey vs West Ham:• 89 minutes performed • 104 touches • 77 passes accomplished • 12 ultimate third passes• 9 ball recoveries• 4 lengthy balls accomplished • 4 floor duels gained• 2/2 aerial duels gained• 2 fouls wonBack like he by no means left ⚽️ https://t.co/nCcDOO4y89
Partey delivered 4 correct lengthy balls, accomplished 78 passes (83% accuracy), and gained six of eight floor duels. Moreover, he drew two fouls, made an interception, and tried two tackles.
#2 Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s sharpest ahead on Monday night time. He made wonderful runs, created possibilities for teammates, and did ever so nicely to show in Odegaard’s shot/go from shut vary within the 53rd minute. He not often misplaced a go, held his floor nicely, and by no means broke the press.
Saka performed 4 key passes, delivered three correct lengthy balls, and accomplished 27 passes (90% accuracy). Saka additionally created a giant probability, precisely produced two crosses, and tried two tackles.
#1 Martin Odegaard
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard led from the entrance on Monday night time, dictating the tempo of the sport and offering two necessary assists.
His first help, to Saka within the 53rd minute, was in all probability not intentional, because it seemed extra like a shot. Nevertheless, the previous Actual Madrid man is unlikely to have any qualms about it. Sixteen minutes later, he arrange Nketiah with a wonderfully weighted via ball, and the ahead made no mistake turning it in.
The attacking midfielder performed a game-high 5 key passes, created two huge possibilities, accomplished two dribbles, and gained six duels. It was a spotless show from the captain.
