Emirates Stadium, October 4, 2025 – A comfortable 2-0 victory for Arsenal over West Ham United transcended the mere three points, as the afternoon became a resounding celebration of the club’s past, present, and future. The win marked two monumental milestones: manager Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge and starboy Bukayo Saka’s 200th Premier League appearance for the Gunners.
The day had an air of destiny, and while the result was a deserved success, it was cemented by the club’s new talisman and its cherished academy graduate. Goals from Declan Rice against his former club and a clinical Bukayo Saka penalty secured the win, sending Arsenal top of the Premier League table.
Arteta’s triple-century and Saka’s historic double-ton
Mikel Arteta, who took the helm over five years ago, steered his team to victory in his 300th competitive match, a remarkable longevity in modern football. The Spaniard’s triumph was beautifully mirrored by his on-field star, Bukayo Saka.
The Hale End Academy graduate, still just 24, became only the seventh-youngest player in Arsenal’s history to reach 200 league appearances. He now stands alongside club legends such as Cliff Bastin, Liam Brady, David O’Leary, John Radford, George Armstrong, and Cesc Fabregas, cementing his place in the club’s history books. Saka’s second-half penalty was particularly significant, marking his 100th Premier League goal contribution (55 goals and 45 assists) since his league debut in January 2019.
Midfield jigsaw and the breakthrough goal
Arteta named a strong XI, featuring a back five of David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and Riccardo Calafiori. The midfield saw a slight rotation, with captain Martin Ødegaard returning from injury to partner the energetic Declan Rice and the creative Eberechi Eze, ahead of the impressive Martín Zubimendi.
Arsenal dominated possession from the start, but West Ham’s low block proved stubborn. The flow of the game, however, was interrupted on the half-hour mark when a clash of knees forced captain Ødegaard off, leading to his third premature substitution in consecutive Premier League starts—a worrying run of luck for the Norwegian.
His replacement, Martín Zubimendi (correcting initial reports of “Martin Zumimendi”), slotted straight into the midfield, and his introduction proved key to unlocking the visitors’ defence. Just eight minutes after the change, the breakthrough arrived. Good work down the right involving Jurriën Timber and Saka saw the Dutch full-back release Eze. The midfielder’s powerful shot was parried by the West Ham goalkeeper, only for the ball to fall perfectly to the on-rushing Declan Rice, who calmly placed it into the back of the net against his old employers in the 38th minute.
Saka seals the win and the milestone
The second half began with Arsenal content to control the tempo, maintaining their territorial dominance while the Hammers struggled to create any meaningful opportunities, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the entire match.
The final flourish came just past the hour mark. After a driving run by Jurriën Timber was illegally stopped inside the box, a penalty was awarded. Bukayo Saka stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with the composure of a seasoned veteran, securing the 2-0 victory and, fittingly, reaching his century of Premier League goal involvements on his landmark appearance.
The final whistle confirmed three crucial points and a clean sheet, providing a satisfying conclusion to a day dedicated to celebration, as Arteta’s Arsenal machine continues its impressive push for silverware.
Images courtesy of Reuters/Action Images