Mikel Arteta: Seven-Goal First Half in Win vs. West Ham ‘Crazy’
In what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most remarkable performances in recent Premier League history, Arsenal stormed to a stunning 7-2 victory over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners produced an offensive display that left fans, pundits, and even the opposing team’s players in disbelief. The seven goals scored in the first half alone were nothing short of extraordinary, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left to describe it simply as “crazy.”
The match showcased just how far Arteta has taken this Arsenal team since taking charge in 2019. Arsenal, long known for their attacking flair but also for inconsistency, are beginning to evolve into a well-oiled machine under Arteta’s stewardship, capable of devastating offensive football. This victory, characterized by fast, fluid, and clinical attacking play, was a testament to the progress the Gunners have made. But despite the euphoric result, Arteta was quick to temper his excitement with a dose of realism, focusing not just on the brilliance of the attack but also on areas for improvement, particularly defensively.
A First Half for the Ages
From the first whistle, it was clear that this was going to be no ordinary game. Arsenal came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, pressing high and attacking with speed and precision. West Ham, who had started the season in solid form, were completely overwhelmed by the intensity of the Gunners’ play, especially in the first half. Within 20 minutes, the home side had already put three goals past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, a former Arsenal player.
The first goal came from none other than Gabriel Martinelli, who latched onto a perfectly timed through ball from Martin Ødegaard and calmly slotted it past Fabianski. It didn’t take long for Arsenal to double their advantage. Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal’s brightest stars this season, fired in a precise low shot to make it 2-0, following an assist from Gabriel Jesus. West Ham struggled to deal with the speed and creativity of the Arsenal attack, and when Ødegaard added a third with a stunning long-range strike, it was clear that this was going to be a special performance.
However, Arsenal were far from finished. Gabriel Jesus, who had been lively throughout the match, added a fourth before halftime. Saka then scored his second of the match, and just when it seemed as if West Ham might be able to regroup, Ødegaard curled in a magnificent free kick to make it 6-0. By the time halftime arrived, Arsenal had scored seven goals—each one a work of art. West Ham had no answers, and the game felt all but decided.
“I’ve never been involved in a game like that before,” Arteta admitted in his post-match interview. “To score seven goals in a first half in a Premier League match is incredible. The intensity, the quality of our play, and the way we created chances was outstanding.”
Attacking Power: A Showcase of Arsenal’s Evolution
For Arteta, the victory against West Ham was more than just a high-scoring affair; it was a demonstration of the attacking prowess Arsenal has developed under his guidance. The team’s build-up play was quick, incisive, and, above all, clinical. In particular, the combination between Ødegaard and Saka has been one of the standout features of Arsenal’s season, and their link-up play was on full display in this game. Ødegaard, often the creative fulcrum of the team, delivered several key passes, while Saka’s movement and finishing were of the highest quality.
One of the most encouraging signs for Arteta was the versatility of his attacking options. Gabriel Martinelli, whose goal came from a clever run into the box, was a constant threat on the left side, while Gabriel Jesus, the former Manchester City forward, showed his quality with a brace. Arteta’s side had more than one player capable of stepping up and taking control of a game, and this balanced offensive threat makes Arsenal an increasingly dangerous side in the Premier League.
The fluidity of Arsenal’s attack was another key factor. The movement of the front three—Martinelli, Saka, and Jesus—was constantly fluid, with each player interchanging positions to create overloads and confuse West Ham’s defense. Arteta has worked hard to implement a style of play that emphasizes quick passing, intelligent runs, and positional flexibility. This win against West Ham was perhaps the best example of how these principles are starting to come together, and it was no surprise that Arteta was so pleased with his team’s attacking display.
“We were clinical in the first half, but we have to keep improving defensively,” Arteta noted. “We can’t take our foot off the pedal in this league.”
The Second Half: West Ham’s Fightback
While Arsenal’s first-half performance was a sight to behold, the second half provided a reminder that no lead in the Premier League is truly safe. West Ham, despite their torrid first 45 minutes, came out after halftime with more resolve and managed to pull two goals back through Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen. While these goals did little to threaten Arsenal’s commanding lead, they served as a wake-up call for Arteta’s side.
Arsenal, to their credit, did not panic. They controlled possession and continued to create chances, but they also showed an ability to weather the storm as West Ham pushed forward in search of more goals. Arteta will likely have seen the second-half resurgence as a sign that his team must maintain their focus and not allow their intensity to drop when they are ahead. Though the victory was comprehensive, the two goals conceded will no doubt serve as a talking point for Arteta in the coming days.
“Of course, we have to be more solid at the back,” Arteta acknowledged. “West Ham showed that you can never take anything for granted in this league. We will review the second half and look to improve on that.”
A Statement Win: Arsenal’s Ambitions
With this win, Arsenal moved further up the Premier League table, sending a statement to the rest of the league. They may not have been considered among the favorites for the title at the start of the season, but their style of play, attacking threat, and growing consistency make them a team to watch. Arteta’s ability to blend youth with experience has been a major asset, and the team’s collective spirit and tactical discipline are growing stronger by the week.
For Arsenal fans, this result will likely go down as one of the best performances in recent memory, and it shows that Arteta has taken his team to a new level. The seven goals, the fluidity in attack, and the control in possession all pointed to a team that is beginning to play with the confidence and swagger of a genuine title contender.
That said, Arteta remains grounded. Despite the record-breaking scoreline, he knows that consistency is key, and Arsenal’s long-term success will depend on more than just one dazzling performance.
“It’s a special win, but we need to stay focused,” he concluded. “We can always improve. This is just one game, and we have a long way to go.”
Conclusion: Building on the Momentum
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team is beginning to show the world what they are capable of. The win against West Ham was a perfect blend of attacking brilliance and tactical discipline, with Arteta’s evolving vision for the team on full display. While the result was certainly extraordinary, the challenge for Arteta will be to ensure his players maintain that level of intensity and focus throughout the rest of the season.
For now, Arsenal fans can revel in the excitement of a 7-2 victory that will surely be remembered as one of the most entertaining matches of the season. But Arteta’s work is far from done, and with a promising squad, Arsenal are now poised to challenge the league’s top teams. The road ahead is long, but with performances like this, the future is looking bright for the Gunners.
