Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United: Second-half blitz from Saka, Martinelli & Nketiah help Gunners earn Comeback win over Hammers, Extend lead to 8 points atop PL Table

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League standings to eight points, following a come-from-behind 3-1 victory at home to visiting West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The Gunners began well and thought they had taken an early lead through Eddie Nketiah, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Instead it was the visitors who opened the scoring through Said Benrahma via a 27th penalty. Jarrod Bowen was brought down in the area and Benrahma duly converted from twelve yards, as the Hammers went into the interval with the lead.

The second half saw a flurry of action from Mikel Arteta’s men, and they responded with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah as they overturned their lone-goal deficit to win 3-1 and further cement their position on top spot in the Premier League.

🔴 Live Blog:

FULL-TIME AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United

69′ MIN: Eddie Nketiah adds Arsenal’s third with a smart turn and finish.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United (E. Nketiah)

59′ MIN: Gabriel Martinelli puts the Gunners in front, firing past Lukasz Fabianski at his near post.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United (G. Martinelli)

53′ MIN: Martin Odegaard’s effort deflects into the path of Bukayo Saka, who keeps his composure to slot home.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Arsenal 1-1 West Ham United (B. Saka)

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United

HALF-TIME AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United

27′ MIN: Said Benrahma sends it straight down the middle, giving West Ham the lead over the league leaders.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United (S. Benrahma)

24′ MIN: Jarrod Bowen is brought down in the area and the center referee points to the spot for a West Ham United penalty.

PENALTY!!! To West Ham United

KICK-OFF AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United

Coach David Moyes has a full-strength squad here, with the likes of Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen all in the line-up.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has named Eddie Nketiah in attack in place of the injured Gabriel Jesus. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey complete the Starting XI.