Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham: Exquisite Martin Odegaard creates two goals with creative display

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AFP via Getty Images
Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_26 December 2022

Arsenal overcame a first-half scare to down West Ham on Boxing Day as Martin Odegaard led a stellar comeback.

A first-half Said Benrahma penalty was cancelled out by Bukayo Saka’s calm finish before Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah secured the points.

Here’s how Mikel Arteta’s side rated at the Emirates...

Aaron Ramsdale - 6

A spectator until facing Benrahma penalty and guessing wrong. A spectator afterwards, too, until brilliant save to deny Pablo Fornals late on.

Ben White - 7

Straight back in for Arsenal after his early departure from England’s World Cup camp and played well. Linked nicely with Saka and was alert on the cover several times.

William Saliba - 5

Back in the starting XI after being an unused sub in the World Cup final eight days ago but looked rusty and gave away the penalty.

Gabriel - 7

The more impressive of Arsenal’s centre-halves, which has not been the case too often this season.

Kieran Tierney - 6

Overlapping runs provide a different threat to Oleksandr Zinchenko but given a tough time going the other way by the lively Jarrod Bowen.

Thomas Partey - 7

Went close with the kind of placed effort that has suddenly become his signature. Terrific tackle on Declan Rice halted dangerous break.

Granit Xhaka - 7

Again an attacking threat in the advanced left-midfield role and he set up Martinelli’s goal.

Martin Odegaard - 9

An exquisite display. Guilty of trying to be too cute on the edge of the box on a couple of occasions, then pulled the trigger, scuffed it and played in Saka with the pass he’d been dreaming of to equalise. Set up Nketiah’s goal, too.

Bukayo Saka - 8

Unlucky that his tiny touch saw his own would-be opener chalked for offside. Got the leveller with a simple finish past Lukasz Fabianski.

Eddie Nketiah - 8

Set for a run in the first XI after Gabriel Jesus’ injury. Encouraging signs in terms of link up play and then rolled Thilo Kehrer for a brilliantly taken goal.

Gabriel Martinelli - 8

On the receiving end of a real kicking but not perturbed and deceived Fabianski at near-post to put Arsenal ahead.

Substitutes

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Tierney 73’) - 6

Fabio Vieira (Martinelli 88’) - N/A

Mohamed Elneny (Partey 90’) - N/A

Unused: Turner, Holding, Cedric, Lokonga, Vieira, Marquinhos, Cozier-Duberry

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