Arsenal delivered an assured performance at the Emirates Stadium, dispatching West Ham United 2-0 behind goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, to extend their strong start to the Premier League campaign.

From the outset, Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession—finishing with a commanding 68%—and pressed the visitors back relentlessly. Arsenal crafted their first real opening in the 38th minute. Former Hammer Declan Rice ghosted into the box and met a clever cutback from Bukayo Saka, neatly steering a half-volley past Alphonse Aréola. Rice, ever respectful, kept his celebration muted, but his strike felt inevitable as Arsenal’s pressure mounted.

West Ham, struggling to establish any rhythm, mustered only four shots in total and rarely troubled David Raya in the Arsenal goal. The Gunners pushed for a second just before halftime, with Riccardo Calafiori nearly doubling the lead, only to see his powerful effort whistle agonizingly wide.

The second half saw more of the same as Arsenal’s midfield, marshaled by Rice and Martin Ødegaard, maintained control. West Ham’s resistance was finally broken in the 67th minute, when Jarrod Bowen’s handball inside the box gifted Arsenal a penalty. Bukayo Saka stepped up with confidence, coolly sending Aréola the wrong way to make it 2-0 and virtually seal the points for the hosts.

West Ham attempted to respond, winning a handful of corners and seeing a Lucas Paquetá delivery narrowly fail to connect with a teammate, but Arsenal’s back line—anchored by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães—held firm.

Both teams rang the changes in the final half hour, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Gunners, buoyed by their creative trio of Saka, Ødegaard, and Eberechi Eze, simply had too much quality and depth for a West Ham side that lacked penetration in the attacking third. Yellow cards for Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paquetá reflected West Ham’s mounting frustration.

The result tightens Arsenal’s grip near the top of the Premier League table and sends a message to their rivals, while Graham Potter’s West Ham must regroup after another disappointing trip to the Emirates.

Key Match Moments

• 38’: Declan Rice finishes Saka’s cut-back to score against his former club.
• 67’: Bukayo Saka converts from the spot after a handball call.
• Arsenal outshoot West Ham 21-4 and record eight corners to three, highlighting a thoroughly dominant display.

Sources:

• Premier League Highlights: Arsenal v West Ham – YouTube, NBC Sports, Sky Sports.