Arsenal ´made it crazy´ in seven-goal thriller, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal “made it crazy” against West Ham, in a match that saw seven first-half goals, as his side came away 5-2 winners at the London Stadium.

Arsenal went four goals to the good in 36 minutes through Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, before West Ham pulled two back within the following four minutes.

As Bukayo Saka converted a penalty for five just before the break, it marked the first time Arsenal had scored two first-half penalties in the Premier League, as Odegaard had also dispatched from the spot.

Arteta was pleased to see so many goals, even though there was room for improvement in defence.

“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,” he told BBC MOTD.

“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.”

7 – West Ham v Arsenal is only the fourth Premier League game to see seven goals in the first half alone, after Blackburn v Leeds in September 1997, Bradford v Derby in April 2000, and Reading v Man Utd in December 2012. Crazy. pic.twitter.com/Zji8BguDu6

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024

The result means Arsenal have now scored five or more goals in five different away games in all competitions in 2024. It is the joint-most in a single calendar year by an English top-flight side, along with Sunderland in 1892 and Manchester City in 1937.

They have also now scored 60 Premier League away goals against West Ham, the first side to score 60+ on the road against a single opponent in the competition.

“I was happier with the first 30 minutes rather than the last 15 minutes of the first half, that’s for sure. We started incredibly well, so positive, so much energy and a lot of quality,” added Arteta to 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.”

Saka was once more a standout performer, racking up one goal and two assists in the match. He has now provided 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this season.

Only Harry Kane (11 in 2020-21), Cesc Fabregas (12 in 2014-15) and Mesut Ozil (12 in 2015-16) have reached double figures in fewer games of a team’s Premier League campaign.

“[Saka] has been really consistent with scoring, assisting and always being available for us so, really good,” said Arteta.

The 23-year-old has now been involved in 15 Premier League goals this season (five goals, 10 assists), only bettered by Mohamed Salah.

“I am taking a lot of pleasure from creating and scoring, but the greatest pleasure is to win. Let’s keep this form going. Definitely the last three games we have been back,” said Saka.

Julen Lopetegui had to watch from the stands due to suspension on Saturday, and with the five goals conceded, West Ham have now let in more goals than any other Premier League team in 2024 (68).

“Overall, I am frustrated with the first half. We deserved two goals, but they didn’t deserve five,” he told BBC MOTD. “We have to do better for sure. We didn’t make good decisions in a defensive way – that’s why it was a strange match.

“The team showed character to compete. We were unlucky with the decisions today. This week we have to do better in our individual actions, in a defensive way.”