What a match! A seven-goal first half and a joy to watch! Still, a gun – or a cannon, if you wish – is indeed more powerful than a hammer! What was supposed to be a London city derby turned into a one-team show in which Arsenal demolished West Ham at London Stadium 5-2, while the Hammers’ only “flash” were two goals in two minutes scored by Wan-Bissaka and Emerson.Conversely, it’s hard to remember who of the Gunners scored during the first 45 minutes, given that there were five different scorers! Gabriel opened the scoring, Trossard and Havertz added one each, while Odegaard and Saka successfully converted penalties for 5-2 at the break! The second half was “getting the job done,” as both teams just waited for the final whistle.7 – West Ham v Arsenal is only the fourth Premier League game to see seven goals in the first half alone, after Blackburn v Leeds in September 1997, Bradford v Derby in April 2000, and Reading v Man Utd in December 2012. Crazy. pic.twitter.com/Zji8BguDu6— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024 How else than from a corner kick, Arsenal took the lead, as Gabriel Magalhaes netted a header after a well-practised set-piece action using Bukayo Saka’s cross! Seven minutes later, Crysencio Summerville gave a ray of hope to the home fans, which was quickly erased, just like his goal, disallowed due to offside.But that was only the beginning of a showdown, as each team made a blitzkrieg at some point. Arsenal were the first to throw the punch – or three, to be precise – netting thrice between the 27th and 36th minute! Leandro Trossard easily finished a three-touch action with Martin Odegaard and Saka, the Norwegian scored himself from the spot, while Kai Havertz exploited Max Killman’s error to make it 4-0!Still, Julen Lopetegui’s boys showed signs of life only minutes later. In the 38th minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored the first, and after only two minutes, Emerson netted the free-kick screamer and the second for the Hammers, reducing the gap to “only” two! The crowd went wild while the players’ passion on the pitch peaked.Super Freekick golazo by Emersonpic.twitter.com/fWLBG2aws7— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) November 30, 2024 The “final touch” on the “craziest” 50 minutes of the season came in the fifth minute of added time, when Fabianski unintentionally punched Gabriel in the head after a corner, awarding another penalty to the visitors, which, this time, Saka sent home for the incredible 5-2 at the break!Pepe claims: “Arsenal spent a lot of money on me and I paid the price for it”20 & 5 – Since the start of last season, Arsenal’s 20 goals from corners and Gabriel Magalhães’ five from corners are both the most by a team and a single player in the Premier League. Familiar. pic.twitter.com/U1FoQEZ7c0— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024 The second half’s pace was – expectedly – nowhere near, as it seemed that all 22 players gave it all during the first period. Despite a short “flash” and two scored goals, already at the break it was clear that the Hammers won’t be able to return and salvage at least a draw after 5-2. Arsenal were primarily focused on defending the lead, while West Ham tried to soften the blow as much as possible.10 – Bukayo Saka has 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this term; only Cesc Fàbregas in 2014-15 (12), Mesut Özil in 2015-16 (12), & Harry Kane in 2020-21 (11) have reached 10 assists in fewer of a team’s games from the start of a season in the competition. Platter. pic.twitter.com/9c6T2hvLK6— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024 Apart from boosting their confidence, this triumph moved the Gunners to the second spot, just behind Liverpool, at least until Man City and Chelsea finish their matches. Already on Wednesday, Arsenal will face Man United in another derby, having a chance to wish Ruben Amorim a “warm welcome” to the Premier League. The day before, West Ham play Leicester, with Lopetegui on the bench or not – we’ll see.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 13Friday Brighton – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Mitoma 29 – Downes 59/Saturday Brentford – Leicester 4-1 (3-1)/Wissa 25, Schade 29, 45+8, 59 – Buonanotte 21/Crystal Palace – Newcastle 1-1 (0-0)/Munoz 90+4 – Guehi 53 og/Nott.Forest – Ipswich 1-0 (0-0)/Wood 48 pen/Wolverhampton – Bournemouth 2-4 (1-3)/Larsen 5, 69 – Kluivert 3 pen, 16 pen, 74 pen, Kerkez 8/West Ham – Arsenal 2-5 (2-5)/Wan-Bissaka 38, Emerson 40 – Gabriel 10, Trossard 27, Odegaard 34 pen, Havertz 36, Saka 45+5 pen/Sunday 16.30: (1.75) Chelsea (4.10) Aston Villa (4.70)16.30: (1.53) Man.Utd. (4.10) Everton (6.50)16.30: (1.70) Tottenham (4.15) Fulham (4.50)19.00: (2.15) Liverpool (3.90) Man.City (3.25)***odds are subject to change***
