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Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: Gunners move up to fourth with victory over 10-man Hammers

By Emma SandersBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1205

Gabriel Martinelli scores
Gabriel Martinelli came close in the first half before eventually scoring in the 48th minute

Arsenal overtook opponents West Ham and moved into fourth place in the Premier League by winning an eventful match at Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel Martinelli scored the opener early in the second half before substitute Emile Smith Rowe confirmed victory for the Gunners late on.

Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette also had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the second half.

West Ham's Vladimir Coufal was sent off for a second booking in conceding the penalty as he was judged to have fouled Lacazette in the box.

Coufal had been booked in the first half when his flailing arm caught defender Kieran Tierney in the face, inciting protest from the Arsenal players.

Tierney later hit the crossbar, while there were further chances for Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel as Arsenal were the better side throughout.

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The significance of this result on the league standings was felt in an intense and feisty encounter.

Coufal's unintentional foul on Tierney in the first half incited protest from Arsenal's players, before referee Anthony Taylor quickly defused the situation with a yellow card.

A few heavy tackles followed before Taylor had to speak with Arsenal's coaching staff near the touchline.

The hosts began to dominate on the field though - as well as Tierney's strike clipping the crossbar, West Ham centre-back Craig Dawson was forced to make numerous blocks.

Saka was Arsenal's biggest threat down the right and he was involved in the build-up to Tierney's effort, before he teed up Lacazette's shot which was parried into the path of Martinelli and poked inches wide.

In the second half, Saka himself came close too, while West Ham's best chances fell to Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen - neither really troubling goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The sending off of Coufal - which West Ham understandably felt was unjust - did not make too much difference and despite a late surge from the visitors, Arsenal were able to see it off through Smith Rowe's late goal.

Arteta named an unchanged side following Arsenal's win over Southampton and his celebrations at full-time suggested he was happy once again with this performance, where a number of young players impressed.

Despite a strong start to the season, West Ham have won just one of their last six games in the Premier League and are now just three points clear of Tottenham in seventh.

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: We have to play better - Moyes

Player of the match

TierneyKieran Tierney

with an average of 7.83

Arsenal

  1. Squad number3Player nameTierney
    Average rating

    7.83

  2. Squad number7Player nameSaka
    Average rating

    7.72

  3. Squad number10Player nameSmith Rowe
    Average rating

    7.71

  4. Squad number35Player nameGabriel Martinelli
    Average rating

    7.61

  5. Squad number32Player nameRamsdale
    Average rating

    7.32

  6. Squad number9Player nameLacazette
    Average rating

    7.04

  7. Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
    Average rating

    7.03

  8. Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
    Average rating

    7.00

  9. Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
    Average rating

    6.95

  10. Squad number4Player nameWhite
    Average rating

    6.93

  11. Squad number5Player namePartey
    Average rating

    6.60

  12. Squad number20Player nameNuno Tavares
    Average rating

    6.47

  13. Squad number30Player nameNketiah
    Average rating

    6.19

  14. Squad number34Player nameXhaka
    Average rating

    6.14

West Ham United

  1. Squad number1Player nameFabianski
    Average rating

    6.29

  2. Squad number41Player nameRice
    Average rating

    5.96

  3. Squad number15Player nameDawson
    Average rating

    5.89

  4. Squad number20Player nameBowen
    Average rating

    5.62

  5. Squad number50Player nameAshby
    Average rating

    5.37

  6. Squad number23Player nameDiop
    Average rating

    5.30

  7. Squad number28Player nameSoucek
    Average rating

    5.23

  8. Squad number8Player nameFornals
    Average rating

    5.19

  9. Squad number9Player nameAntonio
    Average rating

    5.15

  10. Squad number10Player nameLanzini
    Average rating

    5.13

  11. Squad number5Player nameCoufal
    Average rating

    4.91

  12. Squad number26Player nameMasuaku
    Average rating

    4.90

  13. Squad number22Player nameBenrahma
    Average rating

    4.64

Line-ups

Arsenal

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 32RamsdaleBooked at 72mins
  • 18Tomiyasu
  • 4White
  • 6Gabriel
  • 3Tierney
  • 7Saka
  • 5Partey
  • 34Xhaka
  • 35MartinelliBooked at 58minsSubstituted forNketiahat 82'minutes
  • 8ØdegaardSubstituted forSmith Roweat 66'minutes
  • 9LacazetteSubstituted forTavaresat 89'minutes

Substitutes

  • 10Smith Rowe
  • 15Maitland-Niles
  • 16Holding
  • 19Pépé
  • 20Tavares
  • 23Sambi Lokonga
  • 25Elneny
  • 30Nketiah
  • 33Okonkwo

West Ham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Fabianski
  • 5CoufalBooked at 67mins
  • 15Dawson
  • 23Diop
  • 26Masuaku
  • 28Soucek
  • 41Rice
  • 20Bowen
  • 8FornalsSubstituted forAshbyat 84'minutes
  • 10LanziniSubstituted forBenrahmaat 76'minutes
  • 9Antonio

Substitutes

  • 7Yarmolenko
  • 11Vlasic
  • 13Areola
  • 16Noble
  • 22Benrahma
  • 33Král
  • 40Oko-Flex
  • 42Alese
  • 50Ashby
Referee:
Anthony Taylor
Attendance:
59,777

Match Stats

Home TeamArsenalAway TeamWest Ham
Possession
Home56%
Away44%
Shots
Home21
Away7
Shots on Target
Home8
Away1
Corners
Home5
Away2
Fouls
Home9
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Arsenal 2, West Ham United 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Arsenal 2, West Ham United 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Emile Smith Rowe.

  4. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Saïd Benrahma (West Ham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Thomas Partey (Arsenal).

  6. Post update

    Tomas Soucek (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal. Nuno Tavares replaces Alexandre Lacazette.

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Arsenal 2, West Ham United 0. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bukayo Saka following a fast break.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, West Ham United. Harrison Ashby replaces Pablo Fornals.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Thomas Partey (Arsenal).

  11. Post update

    Saïd Benrahma (West Ham United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah replaces Gabriel Martinelli because of an injury.

  13. Post update

    Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Michail Antonio (West Ham United).

  15. Post update

    Attempt saved. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bukayo Saka.

  16. Post update

    Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Issa Diop.

  17. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Martinelli.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, West Ham United. Saïd Benrahma replaces Manuel Lanzini.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Michail Antonio.

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1205 comments

  • Comment posted by nickdunn555, at 21:59 15 Dec 2021

    No complaints about the result as a West Ham fan. Arsenal played some good stuff at times and we were not even in the game.

    It’s getting a bit crowded around that 4th spot.

    • Reply posted by Gareth J, at 22:11 15 Dec 2021

      Gareth J replied:
      West Ham team is becoming a disgrace again. You have do feel for Moyes given his poor lot.

  • Comment posted by Gunner-Idiot, at 21:57 15 Dec 2021

    Arsenal are a long LONG way off any of the top boys but one thing is for sure is that there is some crazy good young talent at the club right now. Saka on one wing and Martinelli the other...wow

    • Reply posted by finnharpsman, at 22:00 15 Dec 2021

      finnharpsman replied:
      I was so surprised to see Martinelli play well tonight because he was shocking the last time I saw him.

  • Comment posted by aintreehammer, at 21:57 15 Dec 2021

    Terrible decision for the penalty and yellow card but fair play to Arsenal, they were much better than us and deserved the win.

    • Reply posted by Vincent, at 22:04 15 Dec 2021

      Vincent replied:
      That follow through gets a yellow anywhere else on the pitch, even if he gets the ball. So it's a foul in the box, but rightly saved if you see what I mean.

  • Comment posted by charlieboy, at 21:57 15 Dec 2021

    Going to keep reminded those idiots who claimed Arsenal will be relegated after the poor start.

    • Reply posted by Hope, at 22:14 15 Dec 2021

      Hope replied:
      You got lucky tonight Arsenal are a poor side you have around 5 excellent players and the rest are bang ARVERAGE

  • Comment posted by EddieWhye, at 21:56 15 Dec 2021

    Arsenal fan, but I feel bad for West Ham - not a penalty for me, and certainly not a second yellow into red

    Entertaining game throughout even so

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 21:58 15 Dec 2021

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Would you be saying that if Arsenal had lost tonight

  • Comment posted by Presuming Ed, at 21:55 15 Dec 2021

    Couldn't believe Lacazette was fit to take the penalty so soon after he needed an ambulance due to the near death assault he suffered.
    Oh wait, he's an embarrassing, ridiculous cheat.
    Well done officials and VAR for getting it wrong again and promoting this crap instead of wiping it out

    • Reply posted by emma21, at 22:04 15 Dec 2021

      emma21 replied:
      It did look for a few months that var would stop the cheap penalties the top teams get but the last week has shown the inbuilt byas in the game

  • Comment posted by balgo biggins, at 21:59 15 Dec 2021

    God bless the person who invented the mute button.

    Commentary was grating.

    • Reply posted by prawnsandwiches, at 22:17 15 Dec 2021

      prawnsandwiches replied:
      Who was commentating?

  • Comment posted by Taxi for Ozil, at 21:56 15 Dec 2021

    Happy with the win, but that was never a penalty or a sending off! Not sure what these refs are looking at, especially the VAR as he could see it multiple times!

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:30 15 Dec 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Come on, the last few days should have convinced you to expect the unexpected when it comes to sports decisions.

  • Comment posted by Rick O Shea, at 21:59 15 Dec 2021

    Arsenal just test positive. For goal difference.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:26 15 Dec 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Arsenal back on the up again. Down, up, down, up.....so goes Arsenal's season.

  • Comment posted by Punchingsking, at 22:12 15 Dec 2021

    Amazing how Lacazette suffers a career ending injury every time he’s tackled but bravely manages to carry on. #truegrit 😂

    • Reply posted by stevef, at 00:03 16 Dec 2021

      stevef replied:
      Love how he clutched his face for the penalty when replays show, not only did he omly get a little touch on his leg, but his face was not touched
      Honestly him and a lot of his fellow peers are such cheats

  • Comment posted by NB22, at 21:56 15 Dec 2021

    Good win that for us.
    Shouldn't have been a penalty or sending off but on the balance of play Arsenal were deserved winners against a tough team.
    Great goals from Gabi and ESR

    • Reply posted by jay66, at 22:08 15 Dec 2021

      jay66 replied:
      No problem with your boys winning .. you were the better team .. our boys look shattered .. but lacazette is a proper cheat .. he falls over like he's been shot and holds his face which hasn't been touched. Its a shame these players should be fined or banned. Long way to go but we will be struggling.

  • Comment posted by Raedwulf, at 21:55 15 Dec 2021

    So just what is VAR for? No arguments about the Arsenal win; WH were competitive & had a few chances, but the Gunners were definitely the better side. Truth is, WH were a little fortunate to be level at HT.

    But that penalty was a farce. Coufal clearly plays the ball, there's nothing dangerous about his follow through, yet the penalty is not overturned & Coufal is sent off. Ludicrous!!

    • Reply posted by 23Mike, at 21:59 15 Dec 2021

      23Mike replied:
      And Lacazette (amongst others) taking lessons from Tom Daley. Have always thought Arsenal were much better than that.

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 21:56 15 Dec 2021

    Anthony Taylor has got to be the worst referee in the Premier League

  • Comment posted by Hitlersoneballsack, at 22:13 15 Dec 2021

    Why was Lacazette holding his face when he was down in the box for the penalty? His face never got touched and when one of the West ham players tried to pick him up he looked around and basically told him to go away because he wanted to make sure the Ref saw it. Dirty cheat!.

    • Reply posted by Dazza, at 22:36 15 Dec 2021

      Dazza replied:
      All games should be reviewed for blatant cheating and diving by an independent panel of 2 or 3 ex pros, then the culprit gets banned for 3 -5 games immediately. Might stop all the diving and face holding. Plus might be a wake up call for some of the refs and VAR officals.

  • Comment posted by mustardcustard, at 21:54 15 Dec 2021

    Coufal defending like it’s 1989.

    You used to be able to clear out player and ball as long as you got some of the ball, not any more, stupid tackle because he could have cleared it cleanly. That said, heaven only knows why Lacazette was holding his face.

    • Reply posted by nickdunn555, at 21:58 15 Dec 2021

      nickdunn555 replied:
      To make sure the ref bought it.

  • Comment posted by whitevanman, at 21:58 15 Dec 2021

    Quality performance from a quality young side… 4th place for now and heading in the right direction. Martinelli… wow, what a player.

    • Reply posted by Vincent, at 22:02 15 Dec 2021

      Vincent replied:
      I would have selected him or Tomiyasu as motm.

  • Comment posted by Daddy Duck, at 22:07 15 Dec 2021

    I completely disagree with the penalty decision, but on balance that was a very well deserved win for Arsenal. They looked incredibly hungry and played us off the pitch for most of the game.

    Not sure what’s happened to Antonio, but we need alternative options up front ASAP, and our depth of defence at the start of the season has been decimated.

    Well done Arsenal.

    Norwich on Saturday ⚒️

    • Reply posted by Philly the kid, at 22:46 15 Dec 2021

      Philly the kid replied:
      Can you buy Nketiah off us please?
      We need Balogun to get more chances in the 1st team!

  • Comment posted by Markyp1965, at 22:00 15 Dec 2021

    A good performance and a deserved victory for Arsenal. They continue to show signs of decent progress under Arteta and that fourth spot is a realistic target. Still have concerns about the conversion rate of chances into goals and they need to eradicate the kind of displays they gave at Everton, but still grounds for optimism.

  • Comment posted by Paul, at 22:05 15 Dec 2021

    Anthony Taylor has been washed for a long time. About time the premier league removed him for good

    • Reply posted by simon, at 23:43 15 Dec 2021

      simon replied:
      He wasn’t great in the 2nd half but He’s nowhere near as bad as Mike Dean