Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United
Arsenal made it two wins out of two to go joint-top of the Premier League after a late Eddie Nketiah goal edged out a batting West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
But it was tough on the Hammers, who started without inspirational skipper Mark Noble while Declan Rice took the armband for the first time. The underdogs had much the better of the second half but two defeats from two leaves them pointless.
With the uncertainly around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future dispelled when the Gunners skipper signed a new three-year contract this week, it’s been all smiles at Arsenal and this result makes it the perfect weekend.
Meanwhile, in today’s other Premier League 2020 results the big surprise came at Old Trafford, where Crystal Palace beat Manchester United to make it two wins from two for the Eagles.
Highlights of the game
In Arsenal’s opening day victory over Fulham, new signing Gabriel opened his account with a goal on his debut, while the main strikers Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette scored the other two.
Gabriel had a busier night at the back tonight, but the forwards were on song again as they combined beautifully to give the Gunners the lead on 26 minutes.
Aubameyang sprung the offside trap and raced down the left wing, before taking a look up and finding Lacazette with a sumptuous cross, and the France striker planted a powerful header home.
VAR took a look, of course, but the goal stood. And the technology was employed again on 30 minutes. Gabriel tried to make a headed clearance but missed, and the ball hit his arm but he was spared as the Hammers were denied a penalty.
The Gunners pressed for a second with a wave of attacks but they were hit by a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time as Michail Antonio drew the visitors level.
Jarrod Bowen released Ryan Fredericks and the wing-back hit a low cross which Antonio converted to send West Ham into the half-time break on equal terms.
The Hammers probably deserved to be level, and they came out for the second half with real belief. They had a great chance when Arthur Masuaku fired a cross in, but before Antonio could pounce, Gabriel bundled the ball back to Bernd Leno and the keeper held on.
And West Ham came within inches of going ahead when Antonio met another cross from Masuaku and when the ball fell to Tomas Soucek, his effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Arsenal were struggling to make any headway and Arteta threw on young striker Eddie Nketiah. And it’s that kind of substitution that makes a head coach look good because with five minutes remaining, Nketiah raced in to finish from close range after Dani Ceballos had tormented the Hammers defence and placed the ball on a plate.
Key statistics
Here at SBOTOP we backed a home win after watching Arsenal and West Ham make contrasting starts to the Premier League season. While the Gunners picked up three points, the Hammers lost at home to Newcastle United. But the visitors put up a real fight at the Emirates tonight.
While Arsenal dominated possession (63 per cent) the Hammers had 14 shots to their hosts seven, though each side registered three on target.
It was a good day for the goal scorers. Lacazette’s goal was his 50th in all competitions for the Gunners, making him the fourth Frenchman to reach that total, after club legends Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Olivier Giroud.
And since football resumed in June, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Antonio’s nine.
What’s next?
The latest Premier League 2020 betting odds place Arsenal as serious top-four contenders, and the Hammers in another relegation battle. But after this performance David Moyes’ side can take some hope.
Next up, Mikel Arteta takes his team to the KingPower Stadium, on Wednesday, to face Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. The Foxes started their league campaign with a win against West Brom and they face Burnley on Sunday.
And then there’s a big test for the Gunners, the following Monday when they head up to Merseyside to face Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s champions started the campaign with a 4-3 victory over new boys Leeds United and have a tough challenge on Sunday against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
The Hammers face Hull City in the third round of the Carabao Cup, after the Tigers saw off Leeds United. But while they put up a good fight tonight, West Ham fans will already have fears in the league. Over the next few weeks, they face Wolves, Leicester, Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool.
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