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Eddie Nketiah scored the winning goal as Arsenal sank an energetic West Ham with a 2-1 win at the Emirates, following Alexandre Lacazette’s first goal and Michail Antonio’s draw.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was forced to make a late change to his starting eleven, with Kieran Tierney replaced by Sead Kolasinac after feeling a strain on his hip before the game.
But Arsenal were unfazed during the opening stages and took the lead in the 25th minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lacazette combined with the latter leading his team ahead.
The lead didn’t last the rest of the half, however, as Antonio completed a wide counterattack to equalize in the 45th minute.
Although the Irons held off their hosts for much of the second half, Nketiah came off the bench to finish off a direct pass from Dani Ceballos in the 85th minute.
Here are five talking points from Arsenal’s win over their London rivals.
1. Aubameyang rewards the new deal
(Image: Getty Images)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was quick to impress in his first game since signing a three-year contract extension with Arsenal.
The Gunners captain timed his run to perfection to grab a pass and cross a pass to Alexandre Lacazette, who headed home from close range in 25 minutes.
Up until that point, there was little to separate the two sides, but the pace and weight of Aubameyang’s pass made the difference in breaking the deadlock.
2. Antonio hits again for Irons
(Image: Getty Images)
The quality of Michail Antonio showed itself once again as he drove into the box and held onto the end of Ryan Fredericks’ center to equalize like a true forward center.
The debate over whether the 30-year-old is better used broadly or centrally continues to rage, but Antonio’s numbers speak for themselves.
As Sebastien Haller struggled to adjust to the Premier League last season, Antonio was often West Ham’s main focal point, scoring 10 goals in 24 games.
The Englishman was a steady handful for all three Arsenal defenders, hitting the crossbar with a header effort in the second half, and is on his way to another impressive season.
3. 50 for Lacazette
(Image: PA)
Alexandre Lacazette has been linked to a departure from the Emirates in this transfer window, but he reaffirmed his courage by scoring the opening goal for the second game in a row.
The header effort was also a personal milestone for the 29-year-old, who scored his 50th goal in his 129th game for Arsenal.
Although Arteta is forced to play Aubameyang in a wide position if he lines up Lacazette, the pair, who are great friends off the pitch, have a telepathic connection when they line up together.
After finding the back of the net only 12 times in 39 games last season, Lacazette insisted he is “happy” in North London after the win over Fulham.
Given the way the season has started, the Frenchman certainly seems to have a spring in his wake.
4. Hope for spirited irons
After the abject 2-0 loss to Newcastle last Saturday, many have concluded that West Ham is destined for another relegation fight.
But in stark contrast to the deflated performance against the Magpies, the Irons dug deep to strike back late in the first half and fought hard throughout the game with Arsenal.
West Ham outshot their hosts by 14 attempts to seven, recording the same number of shots on goal (three) as their hosts.
Also, Michail Antonio’s draw was not a smash and grab goal, but rather showed the quality that the Irons have on counterattack.
The incisive movement was launched by Tomas Soucek and Ryan Fredericks showed great intention with his run and center.
Although the result was not what they wanted, the outlook may not be as bleak as was initially feared for the east London club.
5. Maitland-Niles considered the future
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(Image: Getty Images)
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles was only awarded one spot on the substitute bench despite his impressive performances in Arsenal’s most recent games.
The versatile 23-year-old built on his impressive 2019/20 campaign with a man-of-the-match display at the Community Shield last month.
And Maitland-Niles started the first game of the season, lined up as a left back when the Gunners dominated Fulham for a 3-0 win.
That is why he attracted attention when Mikel Arteta chose to start Bukayo Saka on the left flank instead of the England international for the West Ham visit.
Maitland-Niles came close to moving to the Wolves earlier this summer and is believed to have his heart set on regular first-team minutes.
His last bench may leave him considering his future at the Emirates.
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