ARSENAL put in an excellent performance to sink ten-man West Ham and go into the top four of the Premier League.
The Gunners took the lead just after half-time, with Gabriel Martinelli firing home after a lovely through-ball from Alexandre Lacazette.
And the Arsenal captain had the chance to make it two from the penalty spot after a harsh spot-kick given against Vladimir Coufal, but was denied by Fabianski.
Coufal saw red for a second yellow in the incident, before Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench to seal it late on.
- Final score: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Follow ALL the latest reaction with our live blog below…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
GOODNIGHT
That’s all from us at the Emirates where it’s been a case of no Aubameyang, no problem for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s young team stepped up to the plate, and comfortably saw off West Ham in order to leapfrog their opponents and move into the top four.
There’s likely to be more drama at the top tomorrow evening as Liverpool and Chelsea take centre stage from an intriguing trio of fixtures. Be sure to follow all the action with us here. Until then, thank you and goodbye.
RACE FOR THE TOP FOUR
It’s advantage Arsenal in the race for the coveted fourth spot behind the three runaway leaders, although Manchester United have a game in hand after their match at Brentford was postponed last night.
GUNNERS AVOID PAYING PENALTY
Arsenal recorded another vital home win this evening despite missing their third penalty of the season.
The banished Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the previous two, and it was his replacement as striker and captain – Alexandre Lacazette – that failed from 12 yards tonight.
Lacazette’s miss was his first for the club at the eighth attempt, and was the second this term to be stopped by a former Arsenal goalkeeper; Lukasz Fabianski joining Emiliano Martinez on that list.
The good news for the Gunners is they have still won all three games in which they have missed their spotkicks.
ARTETA REACTION
Mikel Arteta was all-action on the touchline this evening, but the Arsenal boss had regained his composure for the post-match interview. The Spanish coach paid tribute to his players while also reaffirming what he expects from those in his squad. However, he remained tightlipped as to whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be back in the mix for Saturday’s trip to Leeds.
I’m really pleased with the performance: the quality, the energy, the passion that the team were able to transmit. We had some really good moments. They are a hard team to play against and I think we controlled them pretty well.
I expect every player to stick to our values and do what they have to do. As a group, they have to enjoy themselves because enjoyment is a big part of it.
Mikel Arteta
HOME RECOVERY
The Emirates was far from a fortress last season, but Mikel Arteta’s young Gunners appear to have Arsenal firing on home turf once again.
FT: ARSENAL 2-0 WEST HAM
Arsenal leapfrog West Ham to move into the top four of the Premier League for the first time in 14 months. Second half goals from 20-year-old Gabriel Martinelli and 21-year-old substitute Emile Smith Rowe gave the Gunners a deserved victory. It could have been worse for the Hammers had it not been for Lukasz Fabianski’s spotkick save to deny Alexandre Lacazette, and a number of heroic blocks from stand-in centre-backs Craig Dawson and Issa Diop. Vladimir Coufal was shown a controversial red card for his part in the penalty decision.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE IS BLOWN!ARSENAL 2-0 WEST HAM
90+3. Xhaka wants to end the evening in style, but his long range effort soars away into the stand.
It would have been too much if that had gone in.
ARSENAL 2-0 WEST HAM
90. Five minutes of additional time are signalled by the fourth official, but don’t expect the Hammers to throw the kitchen sink.
This will be a procession for Arsenal from here.
ARSENAL 2-0 WEST HAM
89. A chance for West Ham to claw something back as Soucek wins a cheap foul from Partey just outside of the penalty area.
Benrahma goes for goal with the free-kick, but blasts it straight into the wall. That kind of sums up the Hammers this evening.
ARSENAL 2-0 WEST HAM
87. Off the bench, Emile Smith Rowe puts the result beyond doubt!
And while one substitute celebrates, another looks on forlornly knowing the role they played in the goal.
Said Benrahma lost possession in trying to overplay in front of Takehiro Tomyasu and Bukayo Saka, and that allowed Arsenal to break at pace.
Smith Rowe was left with room to run into, and he did so confidently, coming inside from the right and slamming a low shot through the legs of Issa Diop and into the bottom corner.
The Gunners are going fourth in the table!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!
EMILE SMITH ROWE SEALS THE POINTS!!ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
86. It’s incredible how West Ham are still in this considering the absolute non-performances from some of their key players such as Antonio, Soucek and Bowen.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
84. David Moyes is going to introduce a teenager for the final stages. Harrison Ashby is 19 according to my notes, although looks barely a day over 14 as he replaces Pablo Fornals.
It appears as though the Hammers are going with three at the back for the final six minutes.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
83. Martinelli’s game is over despite making it back on to the pitch. Eddie Nketiah is the man to replace him.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
81. Martinelli goes down with cramp having been ushered off the pitch, and his manager is furious.
In fact, Arteta races across to his goalscorer, and pushes him back on to the field of play so he half proceedings for treatment. That’s the thanks he gets for scoring.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
79. Saka! So close to number two!
The Gunners leave Antonio treading water in defence with Martinelli sneaking in around the back. The Brazilian picks out the run of Saka towards the near post, whose shot is blocked behind by Diop’s excellent intervention.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
76. A change for West Ham. David Moyes brings on Said Benrahma to replace Manuel Lanzini.
Michail Antonoio, meanwhile, is operating as a right-back following Coufal’s dismissal.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
74. Gabriel almost follows up on his goalscoring exploits from the weekend by swivelling in another from the corner, but his shot instead hits the advertising hoardings before nestling at the back of the net.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
72. From one goalkeeper to another. Ramsdale is shown a yellow card for timewasting, and half of the FPL-playing community lets out a sigh in unison.
ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
69. Can Lacazette cap his performance with a goal from the spot? No!
The striker steps up and sends his shot towards the bottom right corner, only to see it met by the full length dive of Fabianski. The West Ham goalkeeper pushes the ball to safety and the away fans celebrate.
There are momentary thoughts of a retake with West Ham players seen to have encroached into the box, but Arsenal players were just as guilty so the original spotkick stands.
West Ham are down to ten men, but they’re still in this!
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE STEPS UP!!
SAVED BY LUKASZ FABIANSKI!!ARSENAL 1-0 WEST HAM
67. Well, this is a controversial moment.
Within seconds of Smith Rowe’s introduction, a pass is pushed forward into the path of Lacazette on the left. As the striker enters the area, he’s challenged by the sliding tackle of Coufal, who wins the ball but follows through to leave his opponent in a heap.
Seconds pass and Anthony Taylor doesn’t seem interested despite the roars from the home fans, but then a penny drops. The referee points to the spot, and shows a second yellow card to Coufal for the challenge.
West Ham are incensed.
AND IT’S A SECOND YELLOW FOR COUFAL!
WEST HAM ARE DOWN TO TEN MEN!COUFAL CHALLENGES LACAZETTE!
PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
