David Raya – 6
Another cleansheet but I don’t think he’s had an easy one so far this season. Faced zero shots and came under very little pressure all game. Flapped at a couple of corners which is unlike him but West Ham still never threatened.
Best moment:
Didn’t have a single shot to save, I can’t remember him having any tough crosses to claim so nothing to see here.
Jurrien Timber – 8
Another really strong showing. Is now a key figure in this Arsenal defence. Strong in duels once again, as nothing got in down his side of the pitch. Timber’s much improved attacking prowess was once again on show as he made several good runs, put in a few good crosses and also won the penalty with a direct run in behind.
Best moment:
Good run to win the penalty that ultimately made the game safe for Arsenal.
William Saliba – 7
Another game in which the Frenchman strolled through in second gear. Niclas Fullkrug is generally a handful for defenders with his big frame but in fairness he was completely starved of service as Arsenal dominated the game. Some nice passes from Saliba and a couple of mazy runs as well, as he continues to show little bits of improvement from an attacking side of things.
Best moment:
Nothing of note.
Gabriel – 7
As with Saliba, this was largely a stroll for Gabriel. Such is the dominance of Arsenal in these sort of games, we tend to see more of these two going forward than straining themselves at the back.
Best moment:
Again, nothing stands out.
Riccardo Calafiori – 8
Another fine performance from Calafiori. Was his usual rampaging self and spent quite a bit of time in midfield against the Hammers, in comparison to previous fixtures this year. Solid defensively again as he locked down his side of the pitch. So unlucky with a right footed shot from the edge of the box that hit the inside of the post before being cleared to safety.
Best moment:
A few nice moments but it has to be the thumping shot on his weaker foot from outside the box that 9 times out of 10 would lead to a goal, one way or another. So unfortunate to see the ball strike the post, the goalkeeper and then bounce kindly for a defender to clear.
Declan Rice – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon. Starting off at the base of midfield and kept things ticking over nicely. Some unreal passing, that helped dictate the play. Then moved into the left 8 position and then it was his running power, both with and without the ball, that drove us forward. Composed, underated, finish to open the scoring and on another day, could have walked away with a couple of assists as well. Top all-round midfield performance.
Best moment:
Made his goal look easy but just ask Eze about how easy it is to balloon these sort of chances over the bar. Perfect technique to open the scoring. Would have been his unreal ball to Saka if the disallowed goal had stood.
Eberechi Eze – 7
We didn’t get to see much of the highly anticipated Odegaard/Eze partnership, but what we did see looked very exciting. Missed an absolute sitter but continued to plug away and played a massive part in the first goal with his run and powerful right shot eventually being turned in by Rice. Faded a little in the second half but continued to probe away and involved in some nice passing moves, especially with Saka. Going to need him to step with if Odegaard is out for a prolonged period.
Best moment:
It was Eze’s run and shot that forced the all important opening goal and he worked the chance really well for himself. It was a really fierce hit as well, which Aerola did well to save.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Football can be a cruel sport. The skipper returned for his first Premier League start in weeks and was withdrawn, again in the first half, for a record third time in a row this season, with injury. Was oozing class up to that point with already two or three key passes to his name before his withdrawal. Let’s hope it’s not too serious.
Best moment:
Lovely slide rule pass through to Bukayo Saka in the build up to that Eze chance but in truth, there were two or three equally impressive passes I could have picked.
Leandro Trossard – 7
A solid, if unspectacular display. Kept the ball well and ensured that we kept moving forward. Involved in some nice moves but as with the rest of the Arsenal attack, the finished touch just wasn’t there today. Will be interesting to see where he lies in the Arsenal pecking order when Madueke and Havertz return.
Best moment:
Not a highlight as such but I loved how he ran over to Eze, after his miss, and reassured his teammate. Love a bit of team spirit! From a purely football perspective, the ball into Rice for the cross that just evaded Gyokeres was superb.
Viktor Gyokeres – 6
In a week where he had put in two really good performances, this one was not quite up to scratch. Battled well as always but it just didn’t come off for him today. Touch seemed a little loose at times and he snatched at a few chances that came his way. A bit of a cliché but it looks like he needs a goal to go in off the back of his head or his backside to break his recent dry spell and get scoring again. Was not given the chance to break his drought with Saka picking up penalty responsibilities which I’m still not sure is a good thing or a bad thing.
Best moment:
Did well to drag in the defenders to create the space for Eberechi Eze who blazed over when well placed. He was definitely going for goal but just his presence drew in at least two defenders and the keeper which freed up space for Eze, among others.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Is really starting to look like the real Bukayo Saka right now. Constantly ran at his fullback, to great affect at times and took his penalty well to mark his 200th Arsenal appearance with his 100th goal involvement. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and marvel at that record. Unreal numbers from the Hale Ender. Looked to create every time he got the ball and put in some brilliant crosses and cutbacks from the right. Was heavily involved in the creation of the early Eze chance and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Best moment:
Played a key role in the big Eze chance but I have to go with the penalty, which was dispatched nervelessly.
Subs:
Martin Zubimendi – 8
I was wondering if Ethan would be given the chance to step up alongside Eze in a like for like switch when Odegaard went down so I was quite surprised to see Zubimendi brought on. I was soon eating my words as Zubimendi produced a masterclass from the bench. Was his usual industrious self in midfield with his short and medium passing, reading of the game and perfectly timed interceptions but also played a few lovely defence splitting passes as well, including the ball to Timber that led to the penalty award. What a player. Only shame was this was supposed to be his rest day and he was called into action after 30 minutes.
Ethan Nwaneri – 6 – Some nice touches and passing play but the game had gone a bit flat by the time he was introduced and he wasn’t able to raise the tempo on this occasion.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6 Slotted into defence late on. Brought on alongside best friend and fellow graduate Ethan Nwaneri, which was a nice moment.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6 Lively late appearance, without threatening too often.
Mikel Merino – 6 Couple of half chances from crosses which were smothered away. Not massively involved apart from that.