Nuno Espirito Santo was beaten for the first time as West Ham manager as he visited the Emirates, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both on target in a 2-0 win. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a composed performance to take their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions, but it was not all plain sailing as Martin Odegaard was withdrawn with a knee injury after half an hour. Rice joined him in the physio’s room later on, seemingly struggling with a lower-back issue.
Despite Nuno’s short stint as head coach, the Hammers were already showing clear signs of composure, with a renewed sense of fight and fresh composure at the back. With that said, it was a clumsy tackle from El Hadji Malick Diouf on Jurrien Timber which won Saka’s penalty in the second half. There was little to be done about Rice’s opener, though, as he fired home on the rebound after Ebere Eze saw a shot saved.
Both sides can now regroup in the October international break. Nuno will surely continue to tinker, while Arteta faces up to his growing injury crisis. Catch up with the action as it happened below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings and Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs West Ham latest news
- GOAL! Saka from the spot
- GOAL! Rice opens scoring
- Arsenal starting XI
- West Ham starting XI
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:58 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle - a comfortable win for the Gunners.
Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates Stadium
16:57 , Arthur FerridgeReality check for West Ham this afternoon, but they have, to their credit, looked a lot more organised. Cut out the mistakes and there is something to work with for Nuno.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:56 , Arthur Ferridge90+6mins: Zubimendi sets Martinelli after a through-ball, but he can’t quite get there before Mavropanos. One last corner for Arsenal.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:55 , Arthur Ferridge90+5mins: This win will leave Arsenal top of the pile, until Liverpool play Chelsea later on.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:53 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: The corner falls for Marshall, who heads over.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:52 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: West Ham counter through Kilman and Bowen. Arsenal’s defending is far from convincing, and Zubimendi concedes a corner.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:51 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Seven minutes are added on.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:51 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Nwaneri breaks at goal and feeds Martinelli, but his cross is poor - well behind Gyokeres.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:49 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: The flow of this match has rather broken down. Few fireworks expected as we edge towards full time.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:43 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Close again for Arsenal! West Ham fail to clear Saka’s corner and Merino is there to shoot at the back post, but a heroic block denies him. Nothing comes of the follow-up corner.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:40 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: The injured Rice is replaced by Merino, while Martinelli comes on for Eze.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:39 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Not more Arsenal injury worries! Rice is down and seems to be worried about his lower back.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:37 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Bowen gets the better of Eze and plays a smart cross into the area, but his cross is cleared away before it can reach a Hammer.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:35 , Arthur Ferridge75mins: Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri replace Calafiori and Trossard.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:34 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: Kilman launches one over the box and it threatens to dip in at the far post. Whether that was a cross or a shot is up for interpretation.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
16:32 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Calafiori heaves another long throw into the box, but no red shirt really attacks it, despite it falling near one Viktor Gyokeres.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
16:31 , Arthur FerridgeI wondered if Gyokeres would take that - but Saka grabbed the ball, and he was never letting it go.
Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates Stadium
16:30 , Arthur FerridgeSloppy performance from Malick Diouf compounded there as he gives that pen away. The wing-back has been a bright spot in a dismal start to the season for West Ham, but he has been run ragged this afternoon.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 West Ham | Saka 67'
16:28 , Arthur FerridgeSaka dispatches the pen with aplomb - properly smacks it into the top right corner. Areola is sent the wrong way. Arsenal’s lead is doubled.
PENALTY! Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:26 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: The referee points to the spot! Diouf tackles Timber clumsily on the edge of the area, and can have no complaint.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
16:23 , Arthur FerridgeAll a bit flat here with 30 minutes to go. West Ham fans lifting the mood by chanting: "You're just a s*** Jarrod Bowen" at Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:22 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Saka is the latest to hit the turf, now, with a nosebleed. Very disjointed section of the match, this, with no momentum at all.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:21 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: West Ham replace Magassa and Fullkrug with Potts and Marshall. Interesting subs from Nuno.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:21 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Fury at the Emirates as Trossard is down injured following a late Wan-Bissaka tackle, but he does not win a foul. Diouf does later, though, much to the chagrin of those in the stands.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:19 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Summerville is shown a yellow card for tripping Saka. Free kick to Arsenal, some 35 yards out.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:18 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Rice swings a cross into the box from the free kick, but West Han deal with it easily. Nuno is lining up some subs now, too.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:17 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Some of the gas coming out of this one now after a frenetic first ten minutes of the half. Arsenal have eased off a bit, and West Ham aren’t pressing.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
16:15 , Arthur FerridgeArteta wants this second goal, badly. Trossard has a cross blocked and he turned to the bench and threw his arms in the air in frustration.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:14 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Arsenal are pushing hard for their second now. Three straight corners go begging, but they are knocking on the door.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:12 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: Rice drives a smart cross into the West Ham box, but Gyokeres just can’t reach it.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:12 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Areola’s performances have been questioned in recent weeks, but he is really dominating his box today. He bats Rice’s corner away decisively.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:11 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: West Ham lose possession in their own half and Arsenal come forward. Gyokeres sees his cross knocked back for a corner.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:08 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Summerville cuts in but can’t quite get a shot away. Bowen recycles a cross into the box, but there is no navy shirt to get on the end of it.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:07 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Arsenal appeal for a handball in the West Ham box, but their protests fall on deaf ears.
2ND HALF: Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
16:05 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway at the Emirates! Nuno is looking pensive on the West Ham bench. Can he turn this match around?
Odegaard injury latest
16:04 , Arthur FerridgeMartin Odegaard was forced off before half-time for the third Premier League match in a row after knocking knees with Crysencio Summerville.
He twice attempted to play on, but could not.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:55 , Arthur FerridgeMikel Arteta's side deservedly ahead at the break thanks to Declan Rice's goal. Could/should be further ahead, with Eze missing a good chance early on. Saka been bright and only downer was Odegaard going off injured.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:51 , Arthur Ferridge45+5mins: Once again I ask, how on Earth has that stayed out? Timber sees a shot saved and the rebound falls to Calafiori. He lashes one at the West Ham net on the volley. His effort hits the post and rebounds into the prone Areola’s back. So close to a second!
That takes us to the break.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:47 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Calafiori catches Diouf late as West Ham look to counter, but he gets away without a booking.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:47 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Arsenal win a free-kick in a threatening position - about 35 yards from the byline on the left flank. Neither the initial cross nor the follow up threaten the West Ham goal, though.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Five minutes are added on to end the first half.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:43 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Penalty check is over, play on!
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:43 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Calafiori heaves a long throw into the box, but Kilman rises highest to beat it away. Gyokeres and Fullkrug are both down in the box as VAR investigates a potential penalty.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:41 , Arthur FerridgeSuch a good ball from Zubimendi for that goal. He's slotted in seamlessly since coming on.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham
15:41 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: Good timing on that goal for Arsenal, not too long before half-time, but West Ham must now do everything in their power to make sure the deficit does not grow wider before the break.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 West Ham | Rice '38
15:39 , Arthur FerridgeArsenal open the scoring, and who else but the former West Ham man to fire home? Eze sees a shot very well saved by Areola, but Rice is there to volley it home on the rebound.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Saka’s corner does not beat the first man, and the Gunners are forced to play back to Raya as West Ham press out.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:36 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Arsenal’s first corner of the afternoon is punched clear by Areola. They win a second via a deflected shot from Eze.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:35 , Arthur Ferridge34mins: Big appeals for handball as a loose ball falls past Magassa in the box, but the referee is not interested.
Saka hits the deck, now, holding his left ankle.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:33 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: That is another ‘what could have been’ moment for Arsenal. Saka dishes a cross into Gyokeres in the six-yard box, but he cannot quite get the direction on it that he wanted.
Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates Stadium
15:32 , Arthur FerridgeA big talking point coming into the game was how West Ham would deal with Arsenal's corners. The answer, by stopping it at source. Arsenal are yet to have a corner.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:32 , Arthur FerridgeHave to feel for Odegaard, there. He really didn't want to come off, but you could just tell he was not moving right.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:30 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Zubimendi replaces Odegaard.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:29 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: West Ham enjoying a positive spell here. Summerville and Diouf are combining well down the left-hand side.
Odegaard has gone down again, though, and will surely be replaced now.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:28 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: That said, Zubimendi has just been sent to sit back down, so maybe Odegaard is ok after all. One to keep an eye on...
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:27 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Seems Odegaard is set to be hooked here. Zubimendi is being readied to come on.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! Saka has it in the back of the net with a lovely finish, but he is a hair offside.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:23 , Arthur FerridgeOdegaard is going to carry on here, but not sure Arteta is completely happy. Four players out warming up just in case.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:23 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Appears Odegaard is fit to continue - for now.
Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates Stadium
15:22 , Arthur FerridgeWest Ham will be happy with how things have started. It's been a tad messy at the back at times, but they have restricted Arsenal so far.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:22 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Odegaard is back down, and now the trainers are on. Zubimendi has been sent to warm up, as has Merino.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:20 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Saka is tackled a little too easily by Summerville and West Ham break. He feeds Paqueta into the corner, and the Brazilian is tackled by Rice. The referee calls play dead, though, so Martin Odegaard can receive treatment. Looks a sore one for the Norwegian, but he will continue.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:17 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Summerville looks frustrated as he attempts a jinking run through the middle, thinks better of it, but looks up to find no available passing options in front of him.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:14 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: How on Earth has that stayed out?! Saka squares one into a congested penalty area. It is just barely behind Gyokeres, who almost manages to fumble it over the line. It falls out to Eze, though, who rifles the ball over the bar from the edge of the six yard box. He won’t want to watch that one back.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:12 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Mavropanos is fit to continue, and we play on.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:11 , Arthur FerridgeThere's a break in play, here, as Mavropanos gets some treatment. Arteta using it as a chance to call Rice over for some tactical advice.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:11 , Arthur FerridgeIt is a pretty blunt set-piece from Arsenal. It falls to Trossard, not the preferred target in a box dominated by various taller players, and the Hammers shuffle the loose ball behind for a corner.
Mavropanos has taken a knock on the head in the mix, though, and he is receiving treatment.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:09 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: Magassa clatters Calafiori in the corner and it is a free-kick to the Gunners in a dangerous area. The Frenchman is maybe a tad fortunate to get away without a booking.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:08 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: A tidy passage of play from the Gunners sees Trossard square Saka’s cross-field ball to Eze, who slaps a shot goalwards and sees it blocked.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:07 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: The aforementioned wind helps West Ham there as Saliba’s headed clearance is blown behind for a corner. Paqueta shoots from the set-piece and can’t quite get it under the crossbar.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:05 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Close! Odegaard pounces on a loose ball at the edge of the area and plays a deft through-ball to the remarkably advanced Timber, who draws a smart save from Areola before miss-hitting his follow-up.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:03 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Gyokeres has his first touches in the box but is pressured out to the flank. He looks to Trossard as an outlet, but misplaces his pass.
Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium
15:02 , Arthur FerridgeThere is a big wind blowing in here, with West Ham having it on their backs in this first half. The corner flag on the far side is just about staying up.
Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:01 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: West Ham win an immediate corner, which Fullkrug heads over.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
15:00 , Arthur FerridgeWe are underway at the Emirates!
Here come the players...
14:56 , Arthur FerridgeThe teams are out, and kick-off, imminent.
Nearly time to go...
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeWith just ten minutes to go until kick-off, here’s a reminder of your starting XIs for this afternoon.
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Eze, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
West Ham: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes, Paqueta; Bowen, Summerville, Fullkrug
What you need to know ahead of kick-off...
14:45 , Arthur FerridgeAllow Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau and Simon Collings to talk you through today’s match, live and direct from the press box at the Emirates.
"The handbrake is well and truly off today." 😲
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) October 4, 2025
🎙️ @sr_collings and @tabuteauS with all you need to know about Arsenal vs West Ham, live and direct from the Emirates Stadium press box.
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/ETq9by7vMN#ARSWHU pic.twitter.com/DM3lBLIkEY
Last time out...
14:37 , Arthur FerridgeWe know West Ham are theoretically capable of beating Arsenal - they did so in one of the first matches of the Graham Potter regime.
That match ended 1-0 back in February, with Jarrod Bowen, unsurprisingly, the hero goalscorer as Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off.
What Nuno wouldn’t give to replicate that result today...
How strong is Arsenal's bench?
14:27 , Arthur FerridgeThe odds of Mikel Arteta needing to call on his ‘finishers’ today is admittedly slim, but he has named a remarkably strong bench regardless.
Even if West Ham can keep in contention into the second half, the odds of their being able to contend with the likes of Mikel Merino, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Ethan Nwaneri coming off the bench is slim to none.
To compare it to the West Ham bench, there is a clear disparity in firepower. His best options to change the game are Guido Rodríguez and Callum Wilson.
A milestone for Saka
14:17 , Arthur FerridgeNamed in the Gunners’ starting lineup today, Bukayo Saka will make his 200th Premier League appearance for Arsenal.
He has 54 goals and 45 assists in that time. He will hope to add a couple more to that tally before the 90 minutes are up.
Fullkrug back in
14:07 , Arthur FerridgeNicklas Fullkrug is back in the XI for West Ham today despite struggling against Everton last time out.
He was rather ineffective at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but his physicality could prove helpful against a bruising Arsenal backline today.
Sam Tabuteau at the Emirates
13:52 , Arthur FerridgeNuno has made his stance very clear. No James Ward-Prowse or Jean-Clair Todibo. This will be a tricky, tricky afternoon for West Ham, but they do have Wan-Bissaka back.
CONFIRMED WEST HAM TEAM NEWS
13:48 , Arthur FerridgeNuno Espirito Santo names his second West Ham XI.
West Ham starting XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes, Paqueta; Bowen, Summerville, Fullkrug
Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Wilson, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Scarles, Potts, Marshall
CONFIRMED ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
13:46 , Arthur FerridgeMikel Arteta names his side to face West Ham.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Eze, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly
The Gunners arrive at the Emirates
13:43 , Arthur FerridgeLondon derby ready.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 4, 2025
🤝 @ComAve_Official pic.twitter.com/oyBCGHURmC
How does Nuno change the West Ham squad?
13:40 , Arthur FerridgeNuno was not afraid to make quick changes last week.
He left James Ward-Prowse at home, opting for Soungoutou Magassa instead in midfield.
It is not yet known whether the former England international will come back into the fold today. Will Nuno shuffle the pack?
Team news comes in five minutes...
Nuno warns of trauma
13:30 , Arthur FerridgeNuno Espirito has warned that West Ham need to put their set-piece ‘trauma’ to bed.
The Hammers are among the Premier League’s worst teams at defending set pieces, while Arsenal are among the best at scoring them.
The new West Ham boss has made fixing that aspect of their game a priority in his first weeks in charge.
Odegaard can help unlock Gyokeres this afternoon
13:20 , Arthur FerridgeSo writes Simon Collings in his pre-match column.
The Scandi pair have only started together a handful of times, but against a West Ham side with the leakiest of back lines, this is as good an opportunity as any to cement their understanding.
Arteta concurs, saying pre-match: “They have that personal chemistry, and hopefully, with more time on the pitch and more understanding, that will flourish as well.”
Read the full piece from Simon Collings here!
Standard Sport prediction
13:10 , Arthur FerridgeThe form book only points in one direction, and that is in the hosts’ favour.
The Gunners look in their stride, and impressed with a comeback victory at a raucous St James’ Park last time out.
They look sturdy in defence and sharp up top, with their new signings gelling well with each other.
It may take the Hammers a while to fully transition from Potter’s ideology to Nuno’s, and for that reason, we’re going with Arsenal for this one.
Arsenal to win, 3-0.
West Ham team news
13:00 , Arthur FerridgeNuno issued a triple injury update pre-match, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, George Earthy, and Jean-Clair Todibo all mentioned.
Earthy is struggling with his hamstring and will be out for at least a month, while Todibo could return after making a comeback to training.
Wan-Bissaka had been dealing with an abdominal issue, which he has now recovered from, and the former Manchester United defender should be able to play in north London.
Arsenal team news
12:50 , Arthur FerridgeFor Arsenal, it’s more of the same on the injury front.
Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Jesus are sidelined for this one.
Madueke, Havertz, and Jesus are all recovering from their respective knee injuries, while Hincapie has a groin injury that has kept him out of the last few matches.
As for Gabriel, who take a knock against Olympiacos, Arteta said that the Brazilian defender was “fine”. He was spotted on the team’s pre-match walk this morning, and, thus, is expected to be involved today.
How to watch
12:40 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel and live stream: This game is not available to watch or stream live in the UK.
Live blog: You can, however, keep up with all the updates on Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight from Simon Collings and Sam Tabuteau.
Good afternoon
12:28 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs West Ham in the Premier League!
Nuno Espirito Santo faces a mighty task if he is to get a result in this, his second match in charge of West Ham. What he wouldn’t give to halt Arsenal’s six-match unbeaten run...
Follow along right here for team news, minute-by-minute updates, and expert insight from Simon Collings and Sam Tabuteau, live and direct from the Emirates Stadium press box.
Kick-off is pencilled in for 3pm.
