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

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal “went crazy” against West Ham in a match that saw seven first-half goals scored as his side won 5-2 at the London Stadium.

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

When Bukayo Saka converted a penalty to score five just before half-time, it was the first time Arsenal had scored two first-half penalties in the Premier League, as Odegaard had also sent from the spot.

Arteta was happy with so many goals, even though there was room for improvement in defense.

“We went crazy, we played so well at the start of the game. We scored three early goals, and then they scored one immediately after the kick-off and then another – and then the game was on,” he told BBC MOTD.

“We have to control the game, we have done that very well. The last two games were difficult and scoring goals is a very big one.”

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

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 30, 2024

The result means that Arsenal will now have scored five or more goals in five different away games in all competitions by 2024. It is the highest number of goals in a single calendar year by a top English club, along with Sunderland in 1892 and Manchester City in 2024. 1937.

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

“I was happier with the first 30 minutes 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,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“Immediately after we scored the fourth we conceded a sloppy free-kick and an incredible free-kick and then it was game on. Thank God we scored the fifth and that allowed us to play another game in the second half and succeed. ” many more.”

Saka was once again a standout player, scoring one goal and two assists in the match. He has now provided ten assists in Arsenal's thirteen 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) reached double figures in fewer games in a team's Premier League campaign.

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

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

“I get a lot of pleasure from creating and scoring, but the biggest pleasure is winning. Let's keep this form going. We have been back especially in the last three games,” Saka said.

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

“Overall I'm frustrated with the first half. We deserved two goals but they didn't deserve five,” he told BBC MOTD. “We definitely have to do better. Defensively we didn't make good decisions, that's why it was a strange game.

“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.”