Arsenal’s Brilliance: Breaking Down the 5-2 Victory Over West Ham

Arsenal fans had plenty to cheer about after a scintillating 5-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. By halftime, the Gunners had raced to a commanding lead, blending relentless attacking football with moments of individual brilliance. Although West Ham had moments of quality, Arsenal’s dominance and maturity were clear, showcasing the further evolution of Mikel Arteta’s side.

Here’s an in-depth analysis of the game, complete with Arsenal player ratings and a breakdown of their tactical approach.

First Half: A Goal-Filled Masterclass

Arsenal’s Relentless Start

From the opening whistle, Arsenal asserted control. With 73.6% possession in the first quarter of the match and a field tilt of 87.5%, the Gunners pinned West Ham deep in their defensive third. Gabriel Magalhães set the tone in the 14th minute with yet another header from a corner, his 12th Premier League goal. Arsenal’s rehearsed set-piece routines have become a lethal weapon, with Gabriel proving to be a key beneficiary.

Leandro Trossard followed with a precise finish (off of another moment of brilliance from Ødegaard and Saka), showcasing his technical quality, and Martin Ødegaard converted a penalty after taking the  the chance earned by Saka who had a brilliant individual run. Arsenal’s relentless pressure saw them race to a 4-0 lead within 35 minutes, leaving West Ham scrambling.

West Ham’s Response

Despite Arsenal’s dominance, West Ham found ways to strike back. Michail Antonio capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to score their first. Moments later, Emerson Palmieri produced a moment of brilliance, curling a free kick into the top corner. David Raya had no chance, as the perfectly placed strike brought West Ham back to 4-2.

However, Arsenal’s response was immediate. Saka calmly slotted home a second penalty just before halftime, restoring the three-goal cushion at 5-2.

Second Half: Arsenal’s Game Management

With a commanding lead, Arsenal shifted focus to controlling possession and managing the game. While West Ham pushed to create openings, the Gunners’ defensive organization and ability to retain the ball stifled their efforts. Arsenal allowed just 0.6 xG in the second half, highlighting their defensive solidity.

Substitutions and Rotation

Arteta utilized his substitutes wisely to maintain energy levels and control. Zinchenko replaced Calafiori to provide defensive security through ball control, while Gabriel Jesus came on for Ødegaard to add fresh legs in attack. The introduction of Kiwior for Gabriel earlier (due to possible concussion protocols) occurred earlier in the half but didn’t result in any real disruption of Arsenal’s stablity.

Arsenal Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

• David Raya (7): Had little to do beyond the two West Ham goals, neither of which he could be faulted for. His distribution remained sharp, and he commanded his area well.

Defenders

• Jurrien Timber (7): Provided composure on the right flank, dealing effectively with West Ham’s limited counter-attacks. Supported the attack with intelligent overlaps.
• Gabriel Magalhães (8): Scored the opening goal and was solid defensively before being substituted. Led the backline with authority.
• William Saliba (7): A steady presence alongside Gabriel, Saliba mopped up threats and kept Antonio in check for most of the match.
• Luca Calafiori (7): Solid in his starting role, contributing both defensively and in transition. Showed confidence in possession before being replaced by Zinchenko.

Midfielders

• Martin Ødegaard (8): The captain orchestrated Arsenal’s attack, converting a penalty and linking play with precision. His vision and movement set the tempo.
• Declan Rice (7): Efficient in breaking up play and retaining possession. Rice’s work off the ball ensured Arsenal’s midfield retained control.
• Jorginho (7): Calm and composed in midfield. Jorginho’s distribution helped Arsenal dictate the rhythm of the game.

Forwards

• Bukayo Saka (9): A penalty converted with ice-cold composure, two assists and a constant threat down the right flank. A talismanic performance.
• Leandro Trossard (7.5): Scored a well-taken goal, provided an assist, and was a constant threat.His movement was outstanding throughout.
• Kai Havertz (7): Worked tirelessly in attack, creating space for his teammates. Scoring a vital goal to really put the match away. His movement, link-up play and pressing were vital.

Substitutes

• Oleksandr Zinchenko (6): Added composure and defensive stability after replacing Calafiori. Played a key role in Arsenal’s second-half control.
• Jakub Kiwior (6): Came on late for Gabriel and maintained Arsenal’s defensive structure.
• Gabriel Jesus (6): Provided energy and movement in the final third after replacing Ødegaard.
• Ethan Nwaneri (6): A brief cameo but showed glimpses of his promise in possession.
• Raheem Sterling (5): Replaced Saka and contributed defensively as Arsenal saw out the game.

Key Tactical Themes

Wide-Area Domination

Arsenal’s success was built on their ability to exploit the wide areas. With Saka and Trossard operating as dual threats, the Gunners repeatedly stretched West Ham’s defense, creating space for Ødegaard and Havertz in central areas. Arsenal registered 54 final-third entries, demonstrating their sustained attacking pressure.

Set-Piece Excellence

Gabriel’s opener epitomized Arsenal’s continued set piece dominance. The team’s ability to convert dead-ball situations into goals has added another layer to their attacking arsenal.

Game Management

The second half showcased Arsenal’s maturity under Arteta. Instead of chasing more goals, they controlled possession and limited West Ham’s ability to create meaningful chances.

Statistical Snapshot

Lessons from the Match

Set-Piece Precision Matters

Gabriel’s header highlighted Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on set pieces, while Emerson’s free kick for West Ham was a reminder of the importance of defending such situations with care (and not giving them away in such dangerous spots).

Composure Under Pressure

Arsenal’s immediate response to West Ham’s goals demonstrated their mental toughness, a crucial trait for any title-contending team.

Depth and Flexibility

The contributions from Arsenal’s substitutes underscored the team’s depth. Arteta’s rotation ensured a seamless performance across 90 minutes.

Conclusion: A Statement of Intent

Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over West Ham was a comprehensive display of their attacking flair, tactical maturity, and ability to manage games. From their electric first-half performance to their controlled second half, the Gunners showed why they are genuine Premier League title contenders.

With standout performances from Saka, Trossard, and Gabriel, and solid contributions across the squad, this result reinforced the belief that Arsenal are on the brink of something special under Mikel Arteta. COYG!