Leandro Trossard’s late strike and David Raya’s heroics rescued a disjointed Gunners performance as Mikel Arteta’s side survived VAR drama and injuries to secure a vital victory.
Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium, but this was not a routine away performance. Leandro Trossard’s late goal settled the match, while David Raya produced the key save before Arsenal survived a stoppage-time scare when Callum Wilson’s equaliser was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review.
Mikel Arteta’s side started well, lost control after Ben White’s injury, then found a way through in the closing stages. Here are the Arsenal player ratings.
David Raya - 9
Arsenal’s best player and the main reason they were still level before Trossard’s winner. Raya made a strong first-half stop from Taty Castellanos and then produced the defining save of the match when Mateus Fernandes went through one-on-one in the 78th minute.
He was involved in the late VAR drama after Wilson scored from close range, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper by Pablo. On a day when Arsenal lacked control, Raya gave them security.
Ben White - 6
Started at right-back and looked steady enough before his afternoon ended early. White went down holding his knee after a challenge with Crysencio Summerville and had to be replaced in the 28th minute.
There was not enough time to judge him fully, but his injury changed the shape of Arsenal’s performance. Arteta’s reshuffle after his withdrawal became one of the major talking points of the match.
William Saliba - 6.5
Had to deal with a more awkward second half than Arsenal would have wanted. Saliba was generally composed in his defensive work, although West Ham’s direct running and late pressure gave Arsenal problems.
Booked in the closing stages as the game became stretched. He helped Arsenal survive the late push, but this was not quite the controlled defensive display he often delivers.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7
Strong in the air and important when West Ham tried to build pressure through crosses and set-pieces. Gabriel also came close at the other end, seeing a close-range effort cleared off the line after a Rice delivery.
He had to manage some uncomfortable moments after Arsenal lost their midfield grip, but his defending remained solid. One of the steadier Arsenal performers.
Riccardo Calafiori - 7
One of Arsenal’s brighter players before being sacrificed at half-time. Calafiori offered a strong outlet down the left and went close early on, first after being released by Trossard and then from a Rice free-kick.
His withdrawal was tactical rather than performance-based, and it felt harsh given how influential he had been. Arsenal lost some natural balance on that side after he went off.
Declan Rice - 7
Excellent from set-pieces and central to Arsenal’s early threat. Rice’s deliveries created several of the visitors’ best openings, including chances for Trossard, Calafiori and Gabriel.
His rating is complicated by the reshuffle. He was moved to right-back after White’s injury, which weakened Arsenal’s midfield, before returning to the centre after half-time. Still, his quality and leadership helped Arsenal regain some structure.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6.5
Started in midfield and then had to move to left-back after Arteta’s half-time change. Lewis-Skelly showed composure in possession, but Arsenal looked less settled once he was moved out of his starting role.
He handled the defensive switch reasonably well, although West Ham did carry more threat after the reshuffle. A mature effort in difficult circumstances.
Eberechi Eze - 6
Had moments of invention but struggled to impose himself consistently. Eze was part of Arsenal’s early control, yet his influence faded as West Ham began to find more space in midfield.
Replaced by Martin Odegaard in the 68th minute as Arteta looked for more control and final-third precision. Not poor, but Arsenal needed more from him between the lines.
Bukayo Saka - 6.5
Started brightly and forced Mads Hermansen into an early save with a cross-shot. Saka remained a threat in flashes, but West Ham largely kept him from dominating the right flank.
Booked before being replaced by Noni Madueke. He worked hard, but this was not one of his more decisive attacking displays.
Leandro Trossard - 8
Almost scored early when his header was pushed on to the bar before he nodded the rebound against the post. Trossard stayed involved and eventually delivered the match-winning moment in the 83rd minute with a first-time shot that deflected in off Tomas Soucek.
Not everything came off, but he was Arsenal’s most dangerous forward and decisive when the chance arrived. A big contribution in a tight title-race fixture.
Viktor Gyokeres - 6
Worked hard through the middle and gave Arsenal a physical reference point, but clear chances were limited. West Ham’s centre-backs kept him largely contained, and Arsenal’s best attacking moments came more through Trossard, set-pieces and late combinations around the edge of the box.
He still occupied defenders and helped create space for others, but this was not a match where Arsenal consistently found him in dangerous areas. A willing performance, though not one of his more influential displays.
Substitutes
Martin Zubimendi - 4.5
Came on for White in the 28th minute, with Rice moving to right-back, but the change did not give Arsenal the control Arteta wanted. West Ham grew into the game after Zubimendi entered midfield, finding more space and carrying the ball through central areas.
Eventually taken off in the 68th minute. It was a difficult cameo, and Arsenal looked more balanced once Rice returned to midfield.
Cristhian Mosquera, 6.5
Introduced at half-time for Calafiori and moved to right-back, which allowed Rice to return to midfield. That change helped correct the positional problem created by White’s injury.
Mosquera did not have an easy game to enter, with West Ham growing in belief, but he gave Arsenal a more natural defensive structure. A steady contribution.
Martin Odegaard - 7
Made a clear impact after coming on in the 68th minute. Odegaard gave Arsenal more calm and creativity in the final third, and he was involved in the move for Trossard’s winner.
His introduction helped Arsenal recover some attacking rhythm. The timing of the goal reflected the extra quality he brought between the lines.
Kai Havertz - 6.5
Came on alongside Odegaard and gave Arsenal more presence higher up the pitch. Havertz helped occupy West Ham’s defenders and allowed Arsenal to play with a little more variation late on.
He did not have a major chance himself, but his role in helping Arsenal push the game back towards West Ham’s box was useful.
Noni Madueke - 6
Replaced Saka late on and added fresh legs during a frantic final spell. Madueke had limited time to make a major attacking impact, with Arsenal increasingly focused on protecting the lead.
He helped Arsenal get up the pitch when possible, but the closing minutes were defined more by West Ham pressure and VAR than wide play.