In the seventh round of the Premier League, Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 2–0 home victory over West Ham United, earning a crucial win. Declan Rice scored once, Bukayo Saka converted a penalty, and Martín Zubimendi was instrumental in creating both goals. The match featured five key highlights worth noting.
Arsenal are currently in outstanding form. Across all competitions, they have played 10 matches, keeping 7 clean sheets and conceding only 3 goals. In the Premier League alone, they have kept 4 clean sheets in 7 games, while also shutting out opponents in both Champions League fixtures and their League Cup match. This impressive defensive record makes Arsenal one of the most solid teams across Europe’s top five leagues—more defensively reliable even than Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich. Much of this stability stems from the strong centre-back pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba, as well as the consistent performances of goalkeeper David Raya.
Declan Rice has been exceptional since joining Arsenal. In 113 appearances, he has scored 17 goals and provided 23 assists. For comparison, during his 245 matches for West Ham, he managed 15 goals and 13 assists. His attacking potential has flourished under Mikel Arteta, and his tireless running makes him a dynamic presence on both ends of the pitch—truly an all-round midfielder. In this match, Rice scored against his former club but chose not to celebrate, showing great respect and affection for West Ham.
Unfortunately, Rice was once again forced off due to injury, becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted in the first half of three consecutive starts. Although he had just returned from a previous injury and performed well, bad luck seems to continue haunting him. Fans have high expectations for Rice and hope he can fully recover before returning to full strength.
Another standout performer was Martín Zubimendi. His precise through ball set up Saka’s penalty, and his vision and intelligence on the pitch were exceptional. He serves as the creative “brain” of the team, playing with elegance and composure. Although Zubimendi has scored only three goals in his first 10 appearances—a modest tally—his tireless work rate and ability to act as a pivot have been invaluable. His movements constantly unsettle opposing defenders, making him a key, high-value asset for Arsenal despite his low scoring rate.
Overall, Arsenal’s victory came with relative ease. Even with Ødegaard and Rice both sidelined, the team’s overall strength and depth were evident. The squad remains well-balanced and adaptable. While Arsenal may still lack an explosive superstar like Mohamed Salah or Eden Hazard, Bukayo Saka continues to be the creative and attacking focal point of the team—though he still has room to grow before reaching the very top tier of world football.
