Arsenal thrash West Ham to go up second in Premier League

Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-2 on Saturday to climb up to second in the Premier League. The Gunners have struck 13 goals in a week to refind their form and cut the gap to runaway leaders Liverpool, who host struggling defending champions Manchester City in Sunday's blockbuster clash, to six points. Arsenal scored four times before the break in a 6-0 rout at the London Stadium last season and went one better this time as all the goals came in a manic first half.

Gabriel Magalhaes' threat from set-pieces is well-known but the Brazilian was inexplicably not picked up to head in Bukayo Saka's corner on 10 minutes, bringing him up to two goals in the Premier League and four in all competitions this season. Saka worked his magic again as teed up Leandro Trossard to double the lead before he stepped aside for Martin Odegaard to score Arsenal's third from the penalty spot. The 24-year-old has now collected 10 assists so far in the campaign.

Kai Havertz slotted in from Trossard's pass to make 4-0 after just 36 minutes, as he was left 1v1 with West Ham goalkeeper Fabianski thanks to a great long ball from Trossard. The Hammers flickered into life with two goals in two minutes through Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a brilliant Emerson Palmieri free-kick. But Saka restored the three-goal advantage from the spot after Gabriel was felled from another corner. 

This is the second time this week Arteta's men won by scoring 5 goals after the 5-1 victory against Sporting in the Champions League midweek. Meanwhile, another heavy home defeat increases pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, as the Hammers find themselves in 14th posiiton with just 15 points this season - 6 points away from the relegation zone. The Argentinian could risk the sack just months after he was brought on to replace David Moyes

 

November 30, 2024