Arsenal demonstrated true fighting spirit this Boxing Day, recovering from a goal down to secure a 3-1 win over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium. This clash came after a rare 44-day break in the middle of the season, as teams returned to the pitch to fight for their positions at the top of the table. This hard-earned win brings Arsenal's total to 40 points from 15 games. In other action, Newcastle's dominant 3-0 victory over Leicester moved them into second place with 33 points, pushing the defending champions, Manchester City, into third.
Arsenal showed everyone how to fight back on Boxing Day, traditionally a busy time in English football, by securing a come-from-behind 3-1 win over West Ham United at the Emirates. After an unprecedented mid-season gap of 44 days without a game, finally all teams are back in Premier League action, fighting to cement their spot on the top. With a hard-fought win, table-toppers Arsenal moved to 40 points from 15 games this season. Earlier, Newcastle grabbed the second spot (33 points) with a dominating 3-0 win over Leicester, pushing defending champion Manchester City down to third.
A second-half surge featuring goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah erased Said Benrahma's first-half penalty, ensuring the Gunners stayed seven points clear of second-place Newcastle. Arsenal began the match with great energy and fluidity. Saka, who was a key player during the World Cup, almost opened the scoring within the first five minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Despite Arsenal's early dominance and lively play in the first 20 minutes, West Ham took the lead through a penalty. In the 27th minute, Benrahma converted from the spot after William Saliba fouled Jarrod Bowen inside the box. Arsenal refused to back down, maintaining 70% possession and putting constant pressure on the visitors. Martin Odegaard was particularly active, attempting to break down the West Ham defense, though his final passes were repeatedly intercepted.
The Gunners created numerous opportunities but struggled to find a breakthrough before the break. They headed into the locker room trailing 1-0, especially after a late first-half penalty for handball was overturned by VAR. Arsenal returned for the second half with renewed aggression, and it paid off in the 53rd minute when Saka scored the equalizer, calmly slotting home a rebound after an Odegaard shot fell to him.
Just five minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead 2-1 with a stunning finish. After receiving a pass from Granit Xhaka inside the area, the Brazilian found a narrow gap at the near post and blasted the ball into the net. Shortly after, Eddie Nketiah sealed the 3-1 victory with a brilliant goal; Ben White played into Odegaard, whose cross found Nketiah, who spun past Thilo Kehrer and drilled a low shot into the corner. This result marked Arsenal's 10th consecutive home victory in the Premier League.