Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham as the Gunners move into the top four

Player Ratings: Goals from Gabi Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe help Arsenal to ease past West Ham and into the top four



Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham as the Gunners move into the top four

Alex Lacazette was named Arsenal captain for the game against West Ham which saw the Gunners move into the top four with a 2-0 victory over the Irons at the Emirates on Thursday evening. Picture: A frustrated Declan Rice tries to have a word with Lacazett


Arsenal moved into the top four with a 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Emirates on Wednesday evening. 

Second half goals from Gabi Martinelli and substitute Emile Smith Rowe helped the Gunners to victory as they leapfrogged the Irons into fourth spot. 

Alex Lacazette was named captain in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who was not named in the squad.

The former Lyon striker had a penalty saved when former Gunner Lukasz Fabianksi saved from the spot after Vladimir Coufal was sent off for hauling Lacazette down in the box.

The triumph caps a good week for Arsenal on the pitch, with two league wins in two, with five goals scored and none conceded. 

Read the Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings

Aaron Ramsdale: 7.5/10 - Alert when called upon to keep a clean sheet 

Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7.5/10 - Always dogged, always reliable, always reassuring 

Ben White: 8/10 - Another calm display, strange that no-one has put his name forward to be a future captain of the club

Gabriel: 8/10 - A solid presence at the back and nearly scored with an athletic effort in the second half

Kieran Tierney: 7.5/10 - Excellent at driving down the flank. Another energetic performance from the man many are tipping to become the next Arsenal captain. Would be a shoo-in if he could stay fit 

Bukayo Saka: 7.5/10 - Full of running and could have scored. Another mature performance capped with an assist for Emile Smith Rowe

Thomas Partey: 7/10 - Still not dominating games as much as his talent should allow him to, but, nevertheless, played an important role in the heart of midfield

Granit Xhaka: 7/10 - A tendency to lose possession and also has a habit of slowing down counter attacks, but another who played his part in an important victory 

Gabi Martinelli: 8/10 - Scored an excellent opening goal and never let the West Ham backline settle 

Alex Lacazette: 8/10 - A real team player who gave a captain's performance. Engaged in an absorbing duel with West Ham defender Craig Dawson. Provided an assist for Martinelli's opener. Missed a penalty but didn't let Fabianski's spot-kick save affect him

Substitutes: 

Emile Smith Rowe: 8/10 - A joy to watch Arsenal's talented youngster. Took his goal well 

Eddie Nketiah: 7/10 - On for Martinelli late on. Will be interesting to see where his future lies

Nuno Tavares: 7/10 - Replaced Lacazette late on to help see the Gunners to victory 

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Follow Layth on Twitter @laythy29 


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