Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham: Duo get 9/10 as Arteta gambles pay off in wild win

Arsenal put West Ham to the sword with five goals in the first half to set up a 5-2 win at the London Stadium, with Bukayo Saka the star of the show.

Gabriel opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he yet again met Saka’s corner inside a crowded six-yard area, with the hosts powerless to prevent the Brazilian from finding the back of the net.

Leandro Trossard doubled the lead after a smart one-two from Saka and Martin Odegaard gave the Belgian a chance to tap into an empty net. Saka continued to provide as his penalty allowed his skipper to score from 12 yards, before Kai Havertz added a fourth.

West Ham then began to stage a fightback, scoring twice in a few minutes through Aaron Wan-Bissaka and an Emerson free-kick, but their attempts were quelled when Saka struck from the penalty spot.

Express Sport takes a look at how each Arsenal star fared against West Ham below…

Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

David Raya - 6

There was little he could do for either West Ham goal, with no goalkeeper on the planet able to stop Emerson’s free-kick and Wan-Bissaka’s effort well finished.

Defence

Jurrien Timber - 6

A quiet game for the Netherlands international but his presence allows Saka to sit further up the pitch and concentrate on his attacking duties.

William Saliba - 6

Generally won the physical battle with Michael Antonio and was not at fault for either West Ham goal.

Gabriel - 8

Having overcome an injury concern to start, Gabriel got the game’s opening goal via a familiar setting, nodding home from a Saka corner.

He conducted the set piece, directing his team-mates where to move before stooping to head past Fabianski. The pair met again at a corner when the Polish stopper punched Gabriel in the head and a penalty was awarded. He was then replaced at half-time due to that collision.

Riccardo Calafiori - 5

Will be relieved that his sloppy pass was not capitalised on when Crysensio Summerville scored in the first half, only to be ruled offside. Taken off with an apparent injury just before the hour mark.

Midfield

Martin Odegaard - 8

Odegaard’s incredible partnership with Saka was on full display as an almost telepathic exchange of passes led to Trossard’s goal.

The captain then got in on the act by tucking away a penalty expertly won by Saka. Arsenal look a completely different team with Odegaard back in, keeping him fit will be crucial in their title bid.

Jorginho - 8

Thrust into the starting lineup after Arteta revealed injuries to Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino, Jorginho’s experience was preferred to Ethan Nwaneri’s potential at the London Stadium and that decision paid dividends.

The Italian metronome was tidy in possession as usual and did well against West Ham’s attacking trident of Summerville, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, often cutting out counter-attacks before they turned dangerous. His tackle won the ball back to set up Havertz’s goal.

Declan Rice - 6

Returning to his former club with a smattering of boos before kick-off, but had a quiet afternoon in a congested midfield.

Attack

Bukayo Saka - 9

Another superbly flighted corner was met by Gabriel to open the scoring in east London, as Premier League opponents are still unable to stop what feels like an inevitable route to goal over the past two seasons.

His second assist of the game came after a smart one-two with Odegaard before picking his head up to find Trossard at the back post. He then danced in the penalty area and got tripped by Paqueta, as Odegaard dispatched the penalty, before scoring a spot-kick of his own all before half-time.

With Timber behind him, Saka feels free to stay higher up the pitch and he is proving to be unplayable right now.

Kai Havertz - 7

There was less of a need for Havertz to be Arsenal’s focal point in a game where they dominated so much possession, but he took his chance well after latching onto Trossard’s superb ball over the top to score the Gunners’ fourth.

Leandro Trossard - 9

Given the nod over Gabriel Martinelli, after the pair both scored away to Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday, Trossard was on the scoresheet again after tapping into an empty net following smart work on the opposite flank from Saka.

He then turned provider when setting up Havertz with a pinpoint through ball that left Max Kilman flailing, showcasing his double threat against one of the top defensive full-backs in Wan-Bissaka.

Substitutes

Jakub Kiwior (45') - 6

On for Gabriel at half-time, the Polish defender had a point to prove with increased competition in defence following the summer signings of Timber and Calafiori and did little wrong.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (56') - 6

Replaced Calafiori who hobbled off with an injury and helped Arsenal tick over with another confident passer on the pitch to see out the win.

Gabriel Jesus (74') - 6

Jesus has firmly lost his place to Havertz and needs to start making the most of his opportunities off the bench. That didn't happen today, however.

Raheem Sterling (74') - 6

Only real impact was a free-kick that went narrowly wide.

Ethan Nwaneri (84') - N/A

Had little time on the pitch but every minute will be valuable for the 17-year-old's development.