Tue Dec 03 22:52:25 UTC 2024: ## Arsenal Thrash West Ham in Seven-Goal First-Half Thriller

**London, England –** Arsenal secured a thrilling 5-2 victory over West Ham United in a Premier League match that witnessed a record-breaking first half. The Gunners raced to a 4-0 lead within 36 minutes, leaving West Ham fans stunned and streaming out of the London Stadium. However, a remarkable turnaround saw West Ham score two goals in quick succession, briefly reigniting their hopes. The drama wasn’t over, though; Arsenal were awarded a penalty after West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski fouled Gabriel Magalhães, which Bukayo Saka converted, making the score 5-2 at halftime. The seven first-half goals equaled a Premier League record.

Arsenal’s dominance was evident from the start. Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring with a header from a well-executed set-piece. Further goals from Leandro Trossard, Saka (from the penalty spot), and Kai Havertz extended Arsenal’s lead. West Ham’s goals came from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri, both scoring improbable goals. Wan-Bissaka, in particular, found the net for only the second time in 182 Premier League appearances.

While the second half proved to be a more subdued affair, ending goalless, the first half’s chaotic nature will be long remembered. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s performance, particularly noting the positive impact of Martin Ødegaard’s return to the starting lineup. However, Arteta also acknowledged periods of sloppiness, highlighting a need for improved consistency. Despite these concerns, the victory cemented Arsenal’s strong start to the season.

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