Football Features

West Ham 2-5 Arsenal player ratings: Bukayo Saka shines in East End goal show

By Mohamed Moallim

Published: 19:45, 30 November 2024

Arsenal proved too much for West Ham as they ran out 5-2 winners at the London Stadium this evening.

This win allows Mikel Arteta’s side to climb to second place in the Premier League standings for at least 24 hours.

Gabriel Magalhães, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, and Martin Ødegaard all scored, but Bukayo Saka stood out the most, contributing with a goal and two assists.

The Hammers’ full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson, also found the net in a match that former Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will want to forget quickly.

West Ham player ratings

Lukasz Fabianski: 41%

Had to retrieve the ball from his net on at least five occasions, and more significantly, his overall rating suffered due to conceding a penalty just before halftime.

Emerson: 51%

Became the first West Ham player to score a direct free-kick in the Premier League since Aaron Cresswell did against Everton in April 2022, and the first to do so against Arsenal since Stuart Pearce in October 2000.

Maximilian Kilman: 55%

He made an error that led to a goal, ultimately affecting his final rating and overshadowing any positives, such as producing an interception in the penalty area.

Jean-Clair Todibo: 54%

Won three aerial duels and blocked one shot, but was part of a West Ham backline that conceded 13 shots from inside the box.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 59%

Just like London buses, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had to wait a while to score his first goal for West Ham, but then two came in as many games. After scoring against Newcastle earlier this week, he ensured David Raya wouldn’t keep a clean sheet this evening.

Lucas Paquetá: 43%

He was dribbled past on two occasions, the most by a West Ham player, and he won nine duels while making six entries into the final third, which was the highest for the home side. Paquetá often found himself overwhelmed in the middle third, but he still managed to create two chances, although neither was classified as a ‘big chance’.

Tomás Soucek: 50%

Received a late booking in another difficult outing for the Czech international. He lost possession on no fewer than 11 occasions, the second-highest among West Ham players.

Crysencio Summerville: 49%

Brilliantly finished, but his effort was ruled offside. That proved to be Summerville’s sole highlight in the opening half. The Dutch forward, who had won two tackles but was dispossessed once, was taken off before the second half commenced.

Carlos Soler: 61%

Produced a joint high two goalscoring opportunities created with his brilliantly executed pass leading to Wan-Bissaka’s effort. He ended up as the only Hammers player with a ‘big chance’ created to his name.

Jarrod Bowen: 58%

Recovered the ball on five occasions, demonstrating Bowen’s willingness for the cause. However, he had no shots on target from two attempts and created no chances, which hindered his final rating.

Michail Antonio: 44%

He often appeared as a lonely figure leading West Ham’s attack, able to attempt one shot on goal, though it was not on target. He came off just after the hour mark.


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Arsenal player ratings

David Raya: 54%

He would be kicking himself for not registering another clean sheet; there was nothing he could have done to stop Emerson’s brilliant free-kick.

Riccardo Calafiori: 51%

Before leaving the match in the 56th minute due to a suspected injury, the Italian full-back won two aerial duels and produced two clearances but was dispossessed in his own half.

Gabriel Magalhães: 57%

How do you stop him? “That is just incredible – Gabriel has just conducted that goal from start to finish,” Gary Neville remarked on Sky Sports after Arsenal’s opening goal. This marks his second goal in two games, following the victory over Sporting in midweek, and it’s his third goal in four appearances at this stadium. He is proving to be an invaluable asset for Mikel Arteta’s team, as since his Premier League debut in September 2020, he’s scored at least six more goals (17) than any other defender in the competition.

William Saliba: 58%

Frustrated to have witnessed Arsenal concede twice, this was another encouraging performance from Saliba, who registered five ball recoveries while posting an impressive 92% ball retention rate. He won possession more times (7) and completed more passes (57) than any player in this match.

Jurriën Timber: 54%

Another impressive outing for the versatile Dutch full-back, who completed a team-high two take-ons and made five touches in the opposition box, demonstrating his insatiable attacking prowess.

Declan Rice: 52%

Naturally booed on his return to his former stomping ground, Rice didn’t let that affect him. Arsenal’s midfield lynchpin registered a team-high seven crosses (mostly from corners) and succeeded in three aerial duels. His passing accuracy in open play was 93.7%, which was the best among all who started for the Gunners this evening.

Jorginho: 52%

He performed his role effectively, recording two interceptions, which surpassed the efforts of his teammates, and regained possession four times in the midfield area.

Martin Ødegaard: 73%

Today’s performance highlights where Arsenal missed Odegaard; the Norwegian playmaker made six entries into the penalty area, including a perfectly weighted chip pass to Saka, which led to the Gunners’ second goal. He quickly followed up by converting a penalty to make it 3-0.

Leandro Trossard: 77%

Came into the side in place of Gabriel Martinelli and repaid his manager’s trust by doubling Arsenal’s lead before delivering a contender for pass of the season, allowing Kai Havertz to score the visitors’ fourth.

Kai Havertz: 71%

Ended a four-game goalless streak in the Premier League by netting Arsenal’s fourth. He also completed three layoff passes, which was the third most of any striker playing on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka: 84%

He took the corner that led to Arsenal’s first goal, assisted with the pass for their second, earned the penalty for the third, and successfully converted their fifth from twelve yards. This performance brings his total involvement to 24 goals in his last 26 London derby matches in the Premier League, with ten goals and 14 assists. Additionally, he has contributed to eight goals in his last six matches against West Ham.

How do Squawka player ratings work?

Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.

We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.

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