Arsenal go 7 points clear as Premier League resumes after World Cup

🔴 Premier league
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⚽ Southampton 1-3 Brighton
⚽ Leicester 0-3 Newcastle
⚽ Palance 0-3 Fulham
⚽ Everton 1-2 Wolves
⚽ Villa 1-3 Liverpool
⚽ Arsenal 3-1 West Ham

✳ TODAY

⚽ Chelsea vs Bournemouth 8.30pm
⚽ Man United vs Forest 11pm

✳ TOMORROW

⚽ Leeds vs Man City 11pm

London, UK | THE INDEPENDENT  |  A rousing second-half comeback ensured Arsenal resumed the Premier League campaign where they left off in November – with a win.

Arsenal were good value for the three points, despite falling behind to a Said Benrahma penalty in the first-half.

But Arsenal were soon rewarded for our aggression and positivity with three goals after the interval. First Bukayo Saka finished well when unmarked in the box before Gabriel Martinelli fired home at the near post.

But the pick of the goals was Eddie Nketiah’s wonderful turn and finish to make it 3-1.

The victory moves Arsenal seven points clear at the top before Manchester City play on Wednesday.

Bright start

After an unprecedented mid-season gap of 44 days without a game, Arsenal were finally back in Premier League action, looking to strengthen our grip on top spot.

Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup featured seven players who were on World Cup duty in Qatar – including France’s William Saliba just eight days after the final. But minds were clearly back on domestic matters as Arsenal set about West Ham early.

One of the star performers at the World Cup, Bukayo Saka, had the ball in the net inside five minutes, only for his effort to be flagged offside.

Martin Odegaard showed twinkling footwork on the edge of the area before looking for Kieran Tierney with a cute reverse pass, but the visitors got back to cut it out.

We're back underway…

COME ON ARSENAL! 👊

🔴 0-1 🛠 (46) #ARSWHU pic.twitter.com/RlZSJCpgE4

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2022

Arsenal were playing the ball around confidently and the next chance fell to Eddie Nketiah. A first-time pass from Granit Xhaka released the striker, but his shot was blocked outside the area.

Hammer blow

Odegaard then fired wide from a Saka knockdown before West Ham took the lead against the run of play.

William Saliba clipped the advancing Jarrod Bowen just inside the area and Said Benrahama tucked home his spot kick.

It was a damaging blow from the Hammers, especially given Arsenal’s bright start. Arsenal continued to press forward though and enjoyed 70 per cent of possession in the first-half. Odegaard especially was trying his best to unpick the visitors’ defence, but each time the final killer ball was snuffed out.

Arsenal  were initially awarded a penalty for handball on the stroke of half-time, but it was overturned by VAR.

Quick turnaround

Arsenal started the second-half with even more intent and drive than they started the first, but this time got rewarded.

It was Saka who scored the equaliser. The England man was alone in the area when Odegaard’s scuffed shot fell to him and he kept his cool to slide the ball into the corner.

It was the third consecutive Boxing Day fixture in which he had found the net.

One Arsène Wenger ❤️ pic.twitter.com/agQln82HFC

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2022

Arsenal  tails were up now, and the Emirates crowd – including Arsène Wenger watching on from the directors’ box – were given more reason to cheer just moments later.

Saka shrugged Declan Rice off the ball, and two passes later Xhaka was feeding Martinelli inside the box. From a narrow angle the Brazilian spotted a gap at Lukasz Fabianski’s near post, and squeezed his shot home.

A five-minute turnaround had put Arsenal  in front, and Nketiah’s sublime effort soon made it 3-1. Ben White controlled well before passing to Odegaard. He played in Nketiah who spun past Thilo Kehrer and then drove the ball low into the corner.

It was a moment of brilliance, and the striker’s 11th goal in his last 11 starts at the Emirates.

It put the seal on a fine win – Arsenal’s 16th from 22 games at the Emirates during the calendar year.

And importantly, it ensured Arsenal momentum built up in the first part of the season was seemingly not affected by the World Cup.

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SOURCE: Arsenal.com