Arsenal triumphed in a thrilling London derby against West Ham on Saturday evening, clinching a 5-2 victory that featured an incredible seven first-half goals.
This breathtaking performance equaled a Premier League record for goals scored in the opening half, leaving fans at the London Stadium stunned.
A First Half to Remember
The Gunners stormed into a commanding 4-0 lead within just 36 minutes, courtesy of goals from Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz.
The dominant display prompted thousands of West Ham fans to leave their seats early, but the Hammers refused to go down quietly.
A quickfire double from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri reignited hopes for the home side, reducing Arsenal’s lead to 4-2 and creating a nervy atmosphere for the visiting supporters.
Memories of Arsenal’s infamous 4-4 draw at Newcastle in February 2011 where they squandered a four-goal lead began to resurface.
However, Bukayo Saka restored the Gunners’ three-goal advantage in first-half stoppage time, ensuring the visitors ended the half with a commanding 5-2 lead.
A Rare Premier League Feat
The match became only the fourth in Premier League history to witness seven first-half goals.
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The first such occasion occurred in September 1997, when Blackburn faced Leeds in a 4-3 thriller.
More recently, Reading and Manchester United produced a similar spectacle in December 2012, ending 4-3.
Arsenal and West Ham now join this elite list, with the second half of the game yielding no additional goals.
Arsenal’s Record-Breaking Achievements
Arsenal’s scintillating performance also set several Premier League records:
60 Goals at a Single Venue: The Gunners have now scored 60 goals away against West Ham, the most by any team at a single opponent’s stadium in Premier League history.
Penalty Milestones: Both Ødegaard and Saka scored from the penalty spot, marking the first time Arsenal had two different penalty scorers in the first half of a Premier League game.
Saka’s Stellar Contributions: Bukayo Saka continues to shine, becoming the first Premier League player this season to register 10 assists. With 15 goal involvements so far, he joins Mohamed Salah as one of only two players to reach this milestone. Saka and Salah also share the distinction of scoring and assisting in four league games this season.
What’s Next?
Arsenal’s win propels them into second place, six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s men now shift their focus to a crucial clash against Manchester United at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
For West Ham, the defeat leaves them in 14th place, with Julen Lopetegui’s side suffering six losses in their first 13 matches.
This London derby will undoubtedly go down as one of the Premier League’s most memorable first-half spectacles, showcasing Arsenal’s attacking prowess and reaffirming their credentials as title contenders.
