Arsenal 2–0 West Ham: Rice and Saka Shine as Arteta Marks 300th Game in Charge
Arsenal continued their strong start to the Premier League season with a confident 2–0 victory over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday — a win that marked Mikel Arteta’s 300th game as Arsenal manager.
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⚽ Match Summary
The Gunners dominated from the opening whistle, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Declan Rice, facing his former club, pounced on a rebound to open the scoring.
In the second half, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Jurrien Timber was brought down inside the box by Malick Diouf.
Despite a few late scares, Arsenal managed the game comfortably and secured all three points to move top of the Premier League table.
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🔍 Key Moments
⚽ 38’ – Declan Rice scores against his former team after a scramble in the box.
⚽ 67’ – Bukayo Saka converts a penalty to seal the win.
🩺 30’ – Captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off with a knee concern, while Rice also appeared to pick up a minor back issue later in the match.
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🧠 Tactical Notes
Arsenal displayed complete control in midfield, with Martin Zubimendi stepping in for Ødegaard and linking play efficiently. The team’s high pressing and defensive discipline left West Ham without a single shot on target.
The win also showcased Arsenal’s squad depth, as substitutes maintained the intensity throughout the game.
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📊 Match Facts
Competition: Premier League – Matchday 8
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Final Score: Arsenal 2–0 West Ham
Arsenal Scorers: Rice (38’), Saka (67’, pen)
Manager Milestone: Arteta’s 300th game in charge
Possession: Arsenal 69% – West Ham 31%
Shots on Target: Arsenal 8 – West Ham 0
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🗣 Post-Match Insight
Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta praised his players’ composure and commitment:
> “I’m proud of the performance. It’s a great way to mark 300 games — the team played with maturity, control, and hunger.”
Meanwhile, Declan Rice expressed joy over scoring against his former club but emphasized the importance of the team’s collective success:
> “It feels special, but most importantly, we’re top of the table and improving every week.”
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🏁 Next Up
Arsenal will turn their attention to European competition next week before returning to Premier League action after the international break. Injury updates on Ødegaard and Rice are expected in the coming days.
