West Ham vs Arsenal - Premier League RECAP: Mikel Arteta's side drag themselves back into the title race as Gunners stun hosts early and score FIVE in goal-stuffed first-half

Oh, what a half would probably be more appropriate. Arsenal claim a statement win and can now sit back and enjoy the spectacle at Anfield tomorrow evening, while West Ham will be thankful the result wasn't more damaging.

Thank you for joining us for tonight's game, we'll be back for the slate of fixtures on Sunday, starting with Chelsea's intriguing clash against Aston Villa and culminating with that showdown on Merseyside. After all this hype it's probably going to end up like 'Red Monday' isn't it?

Until then, take care!

Can't lie, I would have liked a little more from the Belgian. 'What a great win, we're coming for you Liverpool,' perhaps. Or 'Underestimate us at your peril'. Trossard went for the totally predictable and very vanilla version instead.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, Sky Sports:

Immediately after we scored the fourth we conceded a sloppy one and an unbelievable free-kick and then it was game on. Thank goodness we scored the fifth and then that allowed us to play a different game in the second-half and manage it a lot more.

Nicki108: I really like Saka , when he missed that penalty he just dusted himself off came back stronger when Rashford and sancho crumbled he didn't

Kar1os: Predictable result - the West Ham defence needs an overhaul in January

MaroonChloride: I wish someone from Liverpool would call Arteta and tell him to stay humble so Liverpool can begin their 5 match losing run.lol.

Goeddude: I'm relieved we have some breathing space at the top ! Can't see Arsenal dropping many points , class team tbf It will end up 2 horse race YNWA

Check out the MATCH STORY from our very own SAMI MOKBEL who was on hand at the London Stadium for the manic first half and the slightly less exciting second.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, BBC:

We made it crazy, we played so well at the start of the game. We scored three early goals and then they score one immediately after kick-off and then another one - then it was game on.

We have to manage the game - we did that really well. The last two games were tricky and to score goals is a big one.

The Dutchman is the kind of player every fan wishes played for their club. The versatile defender's consistency is extraordinary. I've seen him play enough games now and I'm not sure he's ever been poor. Tonight he produced another imperious display, winning more duels and completing more take-ons than any other Gunners player.

Theo Walcott, Sky Sports:

[Saka's] on his way with a long part of the season without his partner in crime Odegaard. It’s incredible stats. He’s just playing with confidence.

The smile on his face when he speaks about Man United , he’s already speaking about Man United! He’s always up for the challenge. At such a tender age he’s so experienced. He’s making that position his own. It’s incredible to be that involved at this stage in the season, to stay consistently fit as well.

West Ham came this game riding high after beating Newcastle away but all their goodwill was undone in the first 35 minutes. Even though they threatened a comeback, you feel Hammers fans will not quickly forget that period of the match.

The Hammers now find themselves in 14th place, six points clear of the drop zone ahead of a huge double-header against Leicester and Wolves.

Saka joins the Liverpool star man as the only players to score and assist in four Premier League matches this season. Will the Egyptian go back in front tomorrow?

Bukayo Saka, Sky Sports:

It was a very strong start. We remember that we played like this last season and we wanted to start strong and we definitely did that.

I'm constantly looking to improve, create and score goals for this team. I'm doing that right now and I'm enjoying my football and playing with confidence so want to continue that.'

The eye test matches the stats. The Gunners completely dominated West Ham in the first period, just look at the momentum chart!

Tiny Totts: Arsenal are cooking right now. you love to see it. COYG

DixonButtz: Really good performance by Arsenal. Controlled second half and didn't concede another goal.

Nicki108: West Ham fans you got EXACTLY what you wanted Moyes gone enjoy your rewards

CommaOliveCut: Can we put the palmer/ foden/ saka debate to bed already. Saka is a different breed

Arsenal have had a habit under Arteta of enjoying periods when they can't stop scoring. Their five-goal salvo tonight means they have the joint record for five or more goals scored in away matches in a calendar year.

Final whistle gone. Only a few boos but that's probably because most of the West Ham fans had left before the referee put his whistle to his lips. Hey, it's a Saturday night, there's trains to catch.What a fall back down to earth after that Newcastle result.

ARSENAL TAKE THE SPOILS

The Gunners climb up to second in the table and move to within six points of Liverpool at the top ahead of their clash against Manchester City tomorrow. They'll want to forget all about that mad few minutes in the first half when West Ham came into it. In all, it was a really impressive performance from a side who haven't given up hope of claiming their first Premier League title in 21 years.

Saliba and Raya get themselves into a right mess but are spared by Ings' miss. The Hammers striker rounded the Arsenal keeper and attempted to score from a tight angle. Well, it looked like he tried to score but the effort ended up going wide of the far post. He wasn't trying to pass that was he?

Sad the second half has been a bit of a non-event. But that's just me being greedy isn't it?

Just when I was going in on Sterling he nearly made me eat my words. The veteran went close with a free-kick that certainly worried Fabianksi in goal. The effort just curled wide of the keeper's left post.

Sterling hits the side netting with an effort from a tight angle. The winger hasn't really been able to impose himself on this Arsenal time, to be fair, he hasn't been given much of a chance.

IS the Arsenal bench better than the Chelsea one? I guess he wouldn't have even made the Blues bench, would he?

It's Nwaneri time. The youngster replaces Trossard with five minutes of the 90 still to play.

Arteta got them in at the break and said 'NO MORE!' And his team have obliged. That's at least what it looks like on the evidence of their performance in the second half. They've done really well to manage this situation after the mad first half and they're very close to closing the gap on Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester City tomorrow.

Well, at least the first half had some action. A lot of huffing and puffing from both sides. Still, gives us all time to write our reports and player ratings!

Irving and Rodriguez on for Paqueta and Soler for the final 15 minutes or so of this clash at the London Stadium.

Soucek goes close for the home side with a header from close range but the midfielder was unable to generate enough power on his effort to test Raya. This one could still get crazy with a goal. More changes incoming.

Odegaard and Saka off for Jesus and Sterling. Arteta certainly thinks this one is done now.

The game management from Arsenal in the second half has been pretty exemplary. The visitors are enjoying themselves, stringing together some eye-catching passing moves and looking the most likely to score again. West Ham still carry a little threat on the break but hold on for another few minutes and this one is in the bag.

Fabianksi will have nightmares about Arsenal corners for the rest of his career. The former Arsenal stopper has flapped at basically every one of his old side's 10 corners. The latest saw the home side nearly concede again but one of his defenders was on hand to hook the ball to safety.

'Come on you Irons', rings out around the London Stadium as the Hammers enjoy their first period of relative dominance. I say relative because they've strung together about five passes and are probing the Arsenal box.

Antonio and Emerson it is who depart for Ings and Coufal. Can West Ham find another route back into the match?

This doesn't feel like a 5-2 game. Whatever that is supposed to feel like. What I mean is that Arsenal have a three-goal lead but it feels like West Ham could still get something from this game with only 30 minutes left to play. Lopetegui is readying more changes for the final third.

Look away Arsenal fans but Saka is down and he looks in some distress. The Englishman put in a cross and stretched awkwardly before clutching his left leg. He's receiving treatment and looks alright to continue. Heart in the mouth moment.

Another change at the start of the second half for Arsenal and it looks to be enforced. Calafiori departs for Zinchenko and all of a sudden that Gunners backline looks a lot less secure.

Antonio goes close and it looks like the change of system from Lopetegui is working well. The striker received the ball on the edge of the area and turned well before getting off a shot that deflected off Kiwior and went just wide of Raya's goal.

West Ham have gone to five at the back which sees Bowen join Antonio up front and the West Ham skipper has just had an effort in anger which sailed over the bar. It's not much but it was something to excite these supporters who are pretty subdued at the moment.

The visitors have started the second half very well and are playing it about as they were between goals one and four. There's an early corner opportunity that is wasted by Calafirori. The Gunners are a hell of a lot less threatening without Gabriel.

Not pretty, one would presume. The West Ham boss is serving a one-game suspension and will not have liked what little view he had of the first 45 minutes. Perhaps he's happy he didn't have a front-row seat.

And we're back. West Ham will be delighted to see the back of Gabriel, who has been replaced by Kiwior, while Summerville has departed for Alvarez.

We've just witnessed only the fourth Premier League match to see seven goals in the first half. I'm surprised it's happened that many times.

Emerson’s free-kick would not have been stopped by two goalkeepers in net, never mind just the one. It was sublime and went in off the bar. Arsenal still have a two-goal cushion but need to be careful here.

There have been a few coming-togethers and the tempo is starting to switch, as seen by Bukayo Saka getting in the face of Lucas Paqueta.

Boos ring out at half-time here. Suddenly that Newcastle win feels a long time ago. Arsenal dominating at every set piece and cutting through the West Ham defence with ease. A penny for thoughts of Lopetegui in the directors box...

AND BREATHE!

I don't even know where to begin with that first half. Seven goals! Momentum swings and some absolute stunners. That Saka penalty at the end of the half will have spared Arsenal players from the fullest extent of Arteta's anger. He'll still be livid that his side managed to concede two goals and allowed West Ham to believe.

The Hammers are lucky they got those two efforts because they've been awful, truly awful. The two goals - out of nothing - meant that the fans weren't booing even louder when the internal arrived.

What will the second half bring?

Emerson goes close with another free-kick right at the end of the half. Raya actually makes a really smart save and tips the effort over the bar.

SAKA SCORES...

But only just. Fabianski will be disappointed not to have saved that after guessing correctly again and getting a firm hand to Saka's effort. That's five different scorers for the Gunners in a truly insane first period.

This game just keeps on giving. Fabianski has absolutely clocked Gabriel with a left hook as the defender beat him to Saka's cross. Those corners really are a cheat code for the visitors.

Taylor looked reluctant initially but he's pointed to the spot and VAR have cleared it. It's a huge chance for Arsenal to settle the nerves here.

We don't want this to end. Give us an additional 45! Five it is, five minutes for West Ham to maybe get another? Arsenal have just got another corner so they'll probably just score that and that'll be the end of it.

That'll teach fans to leave early for a half-time drink...even if the side is 4-0 down. Come back! In the blink of an eye it's 4-2. It was Paqueta who won the free-kick for West Ham that Emerson scored. What a rollercoaster of a game for him so far.

Saka and Emerson go into Anthony Taylor's book after a little scuffle as the game continues to thrill. What a mad few minutes we've had in est London.

WHAT IS HAPPENING!

The Hammers haven't had so much as an attack and all of a sudden they're back within two. Emerson scores an unstoppable free-kick which clips the underside of the bar and goes in. We do have a game on!

GOALS GOALS GOALS

West Ham are back in it? Too far. The Hammers have at least given their fans something to cheer. Soler picks out Wan Bissaka with a stunning through ball and the former Man United full back responds with a clinical finish into the corner. That's his second in as many games.

I'm not malfunctioning. Arsenal have gone and scored another. It's Havertz this time, who converts confidently after a stunning cross-field pass from Trossard. It's 4-0 and we've barely gone past the half-hour mark.

Can we stop it there, for the West Ham fans' sake. Odegaard slids a perfect penalty into the corner of the net that evades Fabianski, who guessed the right way.

That's the midfielder's first goal of the season and just reward for his influence in the first 30 minutes of the match.

THIS IS GETTING BAD

Saka tricks Paqueta and is felled by the Brazilian in the box. It's an easy decision for the referee. The Englishman looked like he would take it but it's the skipper Odegaard to step up.

You saw in that one pass how much of a difference Odegaard makes to Arsenal. A delightful scooped pass over the statuesque West Ham defence for Saka who squared it to Trossard to make it two. That's the difference in quality. Long old way back for West Ham now.

STUNNING STUFF

Arsenal are back. Liverpool, you have been warned. It's the brilliance of Odegaard that unlocks the West Ham defence. The Gunners skipper chips a ball into Saka, who finds Trossard at the far post with an empty net to knock the ball into.

I feel another 6-0 coming on here.

It's death by a thousand corners! West Ham, and their fans, are petrified every time the Gunners have a corner right now and they're right to be concerned.

The visitors look like scoring with every effort they have and they've had five in the first 30 minutes. The latest was barely scrambled away by the Hammers' defence. To be fair, Fabianski did make a good save from Timber's header.

SAKA NEARLY DOUBLES THE LEAD

West Ham are living dangerously now. Saka just puts his curling effort wide of the post after some nervy play at the back from the home side gifted the Gunners possession.

You would have fancied the Englishman to hit the target from that range in the form that he's in.

Arsenal score a corner-kick — and it’s from Gabriel, once again. He nabbed one against Sporting Lisbon and has now scored a number of important goals from set-pieces.

This one was slightly different in that instead of staying in the mix, he crept to in front of the front post which kept the West Ham players off guard.

Though minutes later, Leandro Trossard poor pass left him in trouble with Michail Antonio going through to score. Luckily for Arsenal, it was ruled offside.

West Ham have the ball in the back of the net but all inside the stadium knew the flag was going to go up before Summerville produced a stunning finish. Maybe that's why he was so cool about it. Is that harsh? Perhaps.

Bowen played a ball through to the Dutchman, who had just strayed offside, and the former Leeds star chipped Raya in the Arsenal goal. That will give them a bit of encouragement.

This is just how Arteta would have dreamt it last night. His team are ahead early and are in total control. West Ham haven't managed to mount a serious attack and it's hard to see where it's going to come from.

There's also a bit of frustration in the ground. The early optimism has turned to dread in an instant.

Moment for Michail Antonio to forget as Arsenal take the lead. Goalscorer Gabriel looks to be Antonio’s responsibility at set piece - but a simple run round the back does for West Ham striker. Simple header in the end. Poor defending.

How much time do you reckon Arsenal spend on corners in training?Gabriel heads the visitors in front after orchestrating another perfect set play.

The Brazilian, who was a doubt for tonight's game, stooped down and glanced Saka's cross into the corner of the net. Incredible stuff from Arteta's side. This is a cheat code.

Premier League, do something about this please!

Finally, some control for the Gunners and I feel like I've seen this movie a million times before. Arsenal are getting into their groove, have had their first corner-sighter and look pretty comfortable now.

Declan Rice gets his first touch of the ball and there's a spattering of boos from a few sections of the West Ham fans that have come prepared. The man lifted a European trophy for you, come on!'He left 'cos you're s***,' reply the Arsenal fans.

It's been cagey but it's a start that will nonetheless encourage West Ham. Their supporters have been suitably energised by the first few minutes of the match.

No chances to speak of just yet, just the two sides sizing each other up. Oh, and some obligatory boos for Rice after his first touch of the game.

West Ham get the action underway at the London Stadium.

We're just minutes away from kick-off and as I expected, the West Ham faithful are in full voice!

Thomas Partey’s omission from the team arrives as a major blow to Arsenal. Free from niggles, he’s been back to his best this season. They’ll cope, of course. But Mikel Arteta will be desperate to have him back ASAP.

All this talk of Arsenal's amazing record at the home of the Hammers, West Ham have actually only lost one of their last four meetings against tonight's opponents, it's amazing how you can spin a stat, isn't it?

One of two wins in that run came in the League Cup last November. West Ham ran out 3-1 victors. Same again tonight?

We're less than 10 minutes away from the start of the action in Stratford. make sure you start tuned for all the updates from what we hope will be an exciting clash.

Declan Rice returns to the London Stadium for the third time since his big-money move to the Emirates in 2023. Can you guess who scored the winner the last time the Hammers beat Arsenal at home in the Premier League?

Jamie Redknapp, Sky Sports:

There are irreplaceables in football e.g. Van Dijk is near irreplaceable for Liverpool. We’ve see in this last six weeks since he’s been injured that they can’t play at that level. You ask what’s different, they just. Don’t play as well because he gives them so much quality.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last three home matches. Under the lights, surely the home support will help make this one a stern test for the Gunners.

Julen Lopetegui, West Ham manager, Sky Sports:

We tried to do a line-up that is ready to face the opponent - in the end we decided to repeat [the same line-up which beat Newcastle]. In football, all things are important, physicality, tactically and mentality - we always like to have answers.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, Sky Sports:

Julen Lopetegui and I are friends. I have huge admiration of what he's done in the game. He's from the same area as me in the north of Spain. West Ham a team on a high after the good result at Newcastle away, and they're always a tough opponent.

The Arsenal media team are very excited by the boots set to be worn by Calafiori and Timber, and I can see why. They really are something, aren't they?

The Gunners stars are out on the pitch ahead of kick-off in a little bit. Arsenal are contesting their seventh London derby of the season already and they have managed to come away with the three points in five of them.

Arsenal start the game in fifth following Brighton's point last night, while Nottingham Forest have moved level on points with the Gunners after their win over Ipswich. Elsewhere, there were big wins for the Cherries and Brentford.

• Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth
• Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle
• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich
• Brentford 4-1 Leicester

We've finally got some clips of the West Ham players arriving at the ground for tonight's game - I know how much we all like to see these. Cool, calm and collected would be my assessment of their demeanour.

There's been a virus in the West Ham camp over the last few days, which is why the likes Mavropanos and Casey miss out on the match day squad.

Julen Lopetegui, West Ham manager, pre-match presser:

If I talk about him [Martin Odegaard], then I must talk about [Bukayo] Saka, Declan Rice. They have top players - [like Kai] Havertz - they have two teams.

Alright, we get it Julen, you really love Arsenal.

Sorry to keep doing this to you West Ham fans but another memorable Arsenal moment in coming. This classic Thierry Henry strike came back in 2002 in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Upton Park.

The home side held a two-goal advantage just after the hour before Henry's thunderbolt inspired a comeback.

The Frenchman made his 100th appearance for the club in their midweek thumping of Sporting. He partners Gabriel again this evening against West Ham as the pair look to return to their formidable best.

Feel the need to divert attention away from the London Stadium for just a moment as a piece of history has been made up in Molineux. Justin Kluivert has just completed a hat-trick of penalties, the first player to do so in the Premier League.

I seem to remember Steven Gerrard passing up this chance against Manchester United about a decade ago.

Here's a breakdown of the key statistics of the two sides ahead of tonight's clash, courtesy of our friends at Sofascore.

The first thing that leaps out to me is the number of shots and big chances West Ham are creating despite their lowly league position.

Look at that training gear. That is a thing of beauty! While I frantically try and purchase one for myself, feast your eyes on the Arsenal players at the London Stadium ahead of kick-off.

What's the body language read on these today then?

The Arsenal boss has rattled a few from the Liverpool persuasion with his comments ahead of the Reds' showdown against Manchester City. Has he forgotten that Liverpool were the only side to topple the mighty Pep Guardiola during this era of dominance?

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, pre-match presser:

We’ve been there and to sustain it for 10 months is extremely difficult - everything has to go your way. Just when you think you have it, plop! Everything collapses. Results can change through injuries, decisions and it can happen at any moment. You have to be ready for that but it’s something you can’t always control. All you can control is to do your very best.

Absolutely no surprises that Julen Lopetegui names an unchanged side from the one that stunned Newcastle (and every one else in attendance and, let's be honest, probably themselves as well) with a win at St James' Park. I'm excited to see Carlos Soler in action again.

He'd only started one league game before Monday night and that ended with him being dragged at half-time against Manchester United but he was superb against Newcastle, tidy in possession and always kept the Hammers moving forward. That's the player they thought they were getting on loan from PSG.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, pre-match presser:

Winning lifts the energy and confidence. They were two big wins and now it's about consistency, getting that momentum, taking it even further against a good opponent on Saturday and trying to replicate the performances to win the game.

Why change a winning formula? Lopetegui clearly saw no reason two and has stuck with the team that secured an impressive 2-0 away win against Newcastle last week.

There's only two changes for Arsenal from the side that comfortably beat Nottingham Forest last week as Mikel Merino makes way for Declan Rice, while Kai Havertz replaces Gabriel Jesus up front.

Arsenal's magic man ( he's matured from a star boy) is showing his worth once again this season. Bukayo Saka has been in superb form for the Gunners and is building a Premier League resume that could rival the very best the league has seen when he's all said and done.

This term, only Mohamed Salah has been involved in more Premier League goals (12), while the Egyptian is the only player to better Saka's record of scoring and assisting in three different matches (3).

Julen Lopetegui, West Ham manager, pre-match presser:

The most important thing is the players on the pitch being ready to compete against. In my opinion, for sure [they are] the best team in the Premier League and one of the best teams around the world.

He [Arteta] is doing fantastic as a coach and managing in a fantastic way at Arsenal, putting his ideas and you can see very well how he did and the kind of coach he is. We need to be ready.

I told you about Arsenal's superb record at the home of the Hammers, well they have a record of 10 wins, five draws and just one defeat in their last 16 visits.

Last season was a particularly fruitful one for Arteta's side, who ran out 6-0 victors as they mounted a charge for the Premier League title.

Looking forward to this game. Optimism for both teams heading into it following positive victories. For West Ham, I expect centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo to be included in the squad after suffering a knock in Monday’s win at Newcastle that saw him limp off at St James’ Park.

It remains to be confirmed whether the defender is fit enough to start but there is every chance Todibo is selected after winnings his fitness race. Either way, his expected inclusion comes as a boost to the Hammers.

If West Ham are to get an unlikely result against their London rivals, they'll have to do it without their manager, who will be serving a one-match ban after receiving his third yellow card of the season against Newcastle last week.

After Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea saw them fall nine points behind leaders Liverpool most people were completely out on their chances of winning the Premier League this season but back-to-back wins have given the north Londoners some hope.

Well, that and the return of skipper Martin Odegaard, who has shown just how invaluable he is to Mikel Arteta's team.

The Gunners boast an impressive record at the home of the Hammers and will be full of confidence of maintaining their winning run. West Ham , meanwhile, have improved of late themselves and will be eager to keep the positive vibes flowing.

It's set up to be a good one in east London tonight and we'll have all the updates ahead of the 5:30pm kick-off and then everything you need to know when the action gets underway.