ARSENAL have gone seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a stunning 3-1 win over West Ham.
Gunners legend Arsene Wenger watched on from the stands as he returned to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since he left the club four years ago.
And he witnessed Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah score second-half goals as Arsenal recovered from going 1-0 down.
Said Benrahma had fired the Hammers ahead from the penalty spot after William Saliba fouled Jarrod Bowen.
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- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
- West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Kehrer, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
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That’s all from us
That is all from us tonight on an action packed night of Premier League football, which saw Arsenal overcome an early goal to beat West Ham 3-1, and move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Be sure to join us again tomorrow for coverage of Chelsea vs Bournemouth, as well as checking out the breaking news, that Cody Gakpo has just signed for Liverpool from PSV.
Thank you as always for reading, it has been a pleasure, and I hope to see you again soon.
Good night!
Odegaard the Magista
Wow, what a performance that was from Martin Odegaard.
When Real Madrid signed him as a 16-year-old, many raised their eyebrows, but they could obviously see the potential that this man has in his wand of a left foot from a young age.
Two assists, both of a high class, which topped off a performance of the ages from the Norweigan.
It is time to give him his flowers, as he has been the best midfielder in the Premier League so far this season, alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
And for those of you reading who enjoy the somewhat finer moments on a football pitch, the romantics if you will, please go and watch the highlights of this game.
Hopefully they include his magical nutmeg on Lucas Paqueta, a quaint back-heel through the Brazilian’s legs, as he served up some Samba Sauce with an ice cold Norweigan chill.
He is a really wonderful footballer, and for that reason, gets the SunSport man of the match award.
Odegaard was exceptional against West Ham.Credit: Reuters ‘We’re top of the league’
Was the chant ringing around The Emirates at full-time, and they have plenty of reason to celebrate after they overcame conceding an early goal to win 3-1 at home on Boxing Day.
Arsenal looked a little rusty to begin with, as William Saliba scythed down Jarrod Bowen inside the box to give the visitors an early penalty.
That penalty was dispatched by Said Benrahma, and celebrated in typically cool fashion.
But the celebrations didn’t last too long, as early in the second half Bukayo Saka continued his brilliant season dispatching a mishit shot from Odegaard into the bottom left corner.
Martinelli then gave the hosts the lead, with left footed, low driven shot past Fabianski.
It was Nketiah who scored the pick of the bunch, spinning Thilo Kehrer, and finishing off an excellent team goal that was typical Arsenal.
A great result and a great night for The Gunners, who will have made Arsene Wenger proud with that showing.
Nketiah proved that he is more than capable with a goal in Jesus’ absence.Credit: Reuters Wenger watched on as Arsenal disposed of West Ham at home.Credit: Reuters
FT. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
The referee calls the game to a close just after Mohammed Elneny gets on the pitch for Thomas Partey.
Seven points clear of Newcastle, and eight of Man City as it stands.
A good night for The Gunners in the end!
90. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
The fourth official has announced that there will be four minutes of added time at the end of the second half.
90. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Fabio Vieira comes on in replacement of Martinelli, the Brazilian was brilliant once more tonight…
88. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Mubama comes on for West Ham in replacement of Antonio.
Odegaard ends Paqueta’s career with a nutmeg, and gets the crowd on their feet in the process.
86. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Arsenal win a corner which is crossed in well by Saka towards Saliba, but the Frenchman heads over the bar.
84. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Arsenal come forward again with Odegaard and Saka.
The brilliant English winner looks to provide for Xhaka in the middle, but the cross is cut out.
82. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Odegaard has a go from distance, but that is not his finest work.
Aside from that, the Norweigan has been unbelievable today, and is definitely the man of the match for me today.
78. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
A change for West Ham, as Pablo Fornals replaces Thomas Soucek.
76. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Arsenal win a free-kick, which is being lined up by Granit Xhaka from distance.
It is blocked and Zinchenko does really well to win the ball back for his team.
74. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Zinchenko replaces Kieran Tierney at left back.
Arsenal will be pleased to have him back, as the Ukrainian provides such quality and utility in the squad.
72. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
That is exquisite, and it is textbook Arsenal.
Wenger will be proud in the crowd.
They pass the ball around the edge of the box, before finding the magical feet of Martin Odegaard, who threads a ball through to Eddie Nketiah.
It is all about him, as he opens his body up and turns the defender before perfectly finishing his shot into the bottom left corner.
Wow.
70. Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
What a goal.
What.
A.
Goal.
Eddie Nketiah.
68. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
The corner comes to nothing, before Thilo Kehrer lashes a shot over the bar from distance.
He was trying to re-create something from David Luiz’s catalogue, but instead re-created something from mine…
66. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
West Ham counter, and Antonio does well to get the better of Tierney initially, but the Scot does brilliantly to track back and stop the delivery from the Jamaican striker.
Corner for West Ham.
64. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
Arsenal win a free-kick in the attacking third, set to be whipped in by Odegaard’s wand of a left boot.
It is well cleared by the West Ham defence.
62. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
Arsenal try to come forward again, and are being roared on by the home supporters now.
Tierney’s low cross is cut out by the West Ham defence.
60. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
It is a great left-footed finish by the brilliant Brazilian, who slots it past Fabianski at the near post.
It was set up for him nicely by Granit Xhaka.
58. Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
It’s two! They are back, Gabriel Martinelli!
55. Arsenal 1-1 West Ham
That is wonderful by Bukayo Saka!
A mishit shot from the edge of the area from Martin Odegaard falls at the feet of Saka, who showed great awareness to take a touch and dispatch the shot calmly into the bottom corner.
54. Arsenal 1-1 West Ham
Goal for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka! Assisted by Martin Odegaard!
52. Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Kieran Tierney gives away a foul on Jarrod Bowen, before losing an aerial duel to him and going down holding his face.
Weak from the Scottish full-back, and Arteta is screaming for a yellow that is never going to happen.
48. Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Chance for Arsenal, but for a great save by Fabianski.
Partey has a go from the edge of the box, but Fabianski gets down to his left hand side and makes a great stop to deny him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
