Arsenal Marks Milestone Victory Before International Break
Arsenal defeated West Ham United 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the final Premier League match before the October international break. The win was a crucial one for the Gunners, as it sent them to the top of the league table ahead of Liverpool’s later match against Chelsea. From the opening whistle, Arsenal applied heavy pressure, creating multiple chances to break the deadlock. Jurriën Timber forced an early save from Alphonse Areola, while Eberechi Eze narrowly missed from close range after a scramble inside the box. The home side’s early dominance set the tone for a performance full of control and intent in what was Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge of the club.
Arsenal suffered a setback midway through the first half when captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off with a knee injury. He was replaced by midfielder Martín Zubimendi, whose introduction quickly paid off. The Spanish international played a precise, line-breaking pass to Eze, whose shot was saved, but the rebound fell kindly to Declan Rice. The former West Ham midfielder made no mistake, slotting home to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead and scoring against his former club. The Emirates crowd erupted as Rice celebrated a goal that was as emotional as it was important.
The Gunners carried their momentum into the second half, maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of the match. Leandro Trossard combined with Rice early after the restart, with the midfielder threading a pass toward Viktor Gyökeres that narrowly missed its target. Arsenal continued to press and were eventually rewarded with a penalty after Timber was brought down inside the box. Bukayo Saka calmly converted from the spot to double Arsenal’s advantage and record his 100th Premier League goal contribution. The 24-year-old now has 55 goals and 45 assists in 200 league appearances, a remarkable milestone in his young career.
Goalkeeper David Raya also played a key role, securing his fourth clean sheet of the season with another composed display. Arsenal’s defense remained organized and disciplined, limiting West Ham’s attacking opportunities throughout the match. The result reflected the Gunners’ growing balance between their offensive creativity and defensive solidity. With five wins, one draw, and one loss, Arsenal goes into the international break with 14 goals scored and only three conceded. The performance and result marked a fitting milestone for Arteta’s 300th match and further strengthened his side’s credentials as serious contenders for this season’s Premier League title.
