Arsenal produced a scintillating first-half display to record an emphatic 5-2 triumph over West Ham United at London Stadium, with five different scores firing the Gunners second in the Premier League table.
The visitors took an early lead through Gabriel Magalhaes, who headed home Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint corner in the 10th minute. Arsenal’s dominance continued as Saka and Martin Ødegaard combined brilliantly to set up Leandro Trossard for a simple tap-in. Ødegaard added a third from the penalty spot after Lucas Paqueta fouled Saka in the box.
Havertz made it 4-0 after capitalizing on a howler, but West Ham rallied. Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored with a calm finish after an exquisite pass by Carlos Soler and a sensational Emerson Palmieri free-kick reduced the deficit to two goals. Arsenal restored their cushion just before half-time as Saka converted from the spot after Gabriel had been fouled by Lukasz Fabianski.
The second half was quieter, as Arsenal controlled the game without being put under any real threat other than Tomas Soucek’s tame header. Finally, Arsenal’s lead never really looked threatened, despite late chances for Raheem Sterling and Danny Ings.
The result keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race, while West Ham sit precariously in 14th, just six points above the drop.
