Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham as Saka, Odegaard, and Gabriel shine in significant victory…

Arsenal player evaluations against West Ham highlight the impressive performances of Saka, Odegaard, and Gabriel, who played pivotal roles in a significant victory.

In the match against West Ham, Arsenal’s player ratings reflect the dominance of Saka, Odegaard, and Gabriel, contributing to a commanding win.

Arsenal clinched a crucial three points away from home in the first of several London derbies this winter.

This match may be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the season, with goals coming thick and fast at the London Stadium.

The Gunners opened the scoring against West Ham with a header from Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Brazilian expertly executed a corner taken by Bukayo Saka, darting to the near post to flick the ball into the net.

Saka later provided another assist following a series of impressive passes with captain Martin Odegaard, setting up Leandro Trossard for an easy finish.

A chaotic spell ensued, featuring four goals—two for each side.

Arsenal extended their lead with a penalty from Martin Odegaard and a goal from Kai Havertz, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson to respond just two minutes later.

Emerson’s free-kick was particularly noteworthy, though it raised questions as to whether the foul leading to it should have been awarded after Declan Rice was controversially penalized.

Saka then restored a three-goal cushion with another penalty after Lukasz Fabianski inadvertently struck Gabriel in the face during a corner.

David Raya: Conceded at his near post to Wan-Bissaka, but the free-kick from Emerson was expertly taken, making it unfair to fault the Spaniard. His composed distribution was vital as Arsenal faced pressure from West Ham. 6

Jurrien Timber: Arsenal supporters have come to expect exceptional technical skill from the Dutchman, and he did not disappoint, delivering another strong performance on the right flank. 7

William Saliba: While he may not have been as prominent as in other matches, he remained reliable when needed and executed calm passes during tense moments. 7

Gabriel: A quintessential goal for the Brazilian, he headed in from a corner early in the first half and courageously earned a penalty just before half-time with another impressive leap from a set-piece cross.

He was substituted at the break, securing a commendable score for his contributions. 8

Riccardo Calafiori: The Italian delivered another solid performance before being substituted early in the second half.

His interplay during the first thirty minutes was particularly noteworthy, although Arteta evidently felt a change was necessary. 6

Jorginho: Stepping in for the injured Thomas Partey, the Italian demonstrated his reliability in midfield.

He had a strong outing, distributing passes effectively and providing the necessary composure in a fast-paced match. 7

Declan Rice: It’s always intriguing to observe how the former Hammer performs against his old team.

While he didn’t create the same excitement as last year, Rice effectively recycled possession and advanced the ball down the left flank to support his left-wing partner. 7

Martin Odegaard: With his flicks, tricks, and exceptional touch, the captain was once again outstanding, converting a crucial penalty awarded to him by Saka.

He continues to exemplify leadership with his confidence on the ball, sharp passing, and chance creation that had been lacking during his injury absence. 8

Bukayo Saka: Delivered a perfect corner that found Gabriel’s head for the opening goal and assisted Trossard’s tap-in.

Winning the penalty added to an emotional performance for the young star, who reaped the rewards of his efforts. 9

Kai Havertz: Displayed composure when it counted, skillfully finishing in a one-on-one situation.

His strong hold-up play contributed to the build-up leading to Saka’s penalty for the Gunners’ third goal. 7

Leandro Trossard: Positioned perfectly to score the Gunners’ second goal with a tap-in, he demonstrated the importance of being in the right place at the right time.

While slightly less tenacious than Odegaard, his technical skills and agility helped to stretch West Ham’s defense. 7

SUBS.

Jakub Kiwior – Came on for Gabriel at halftime after the latter sustained a head injury that resulted in an Arsenal penalty.

He delivered a solid performance overall, despite one misjudged challenge on Bowen, and contributed to managing the game for the remainder of the half. 6

Oleksandr Zinchenko – Entered the match early in the second half to replace Calafiori.

He showcased some effective combination play and managed to hold his ground defensively, even as the back four faced challenges. 6

Gabriel Jesus – Struggled to make a significant impact on the match, leaving a sense of disappointment for someone who should be striving to secure a spot in the lineup. 5

Raheem Sterling – Had a similar experience to Jesus, lacking the initiative to challenge the West Ham defense effectively, with only one notable attempt that struck the side netting from a difficult angle. 5

Ethan Nwaneri – Did not play long enough to make a meaningful impact on the game. n/a.