Sun Dec 01 09:06:42 UTC 2024: ## Arsenal Thrash West Ham in Seven-Goal Thriller
**London, England** – Arsenal stormed to a 5-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, moving them up to second place in the Premier League. A breathtaking first-half display saw the Gunners race into a 4-0 lead within 36 minutes, with goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka added a fifth just before the break, converting a penalty.
West Ham briefly threatened a comeback with quickfire goals from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson, the latter a stunning free-kick. However, Arsenal’s early dominance proved too much to overcome. The seven-goal first half marked only the fourth time this has happened in Premier League history.
Saka, who also provided two assists, reached double figures for assists in Europe’s top five leagues – a remarkable feat. His performance, along with Odegaard’s return from injury, proved pivotal to Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.
Despite West Ham’s late fightback, Arsenal comfortably saw out the second half to secure a vital win. They now sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who face Manchester City on Sunday. West Ham remains in 14th position, with manager Julen Lopetegui facing scrutiny after the first-half collapse.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s performance, highlighting the first-half dominance while acknowledging the need for better game management. Lopetegui, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the first half, feeling his side deserved a better fate despite conceding five goals before the break. This is the first time West Ham have conceded five goals in the first half of a Premier League game.
The match showcased the attacking prowess of Arsenal, who have now scored 13 goals in their last three matches across all competitions. Their next test comes against Manchester United midweek.
First Piper 