Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Eddie Nketiah goal completes comeback

Arsenal 3-1 West Ham: The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points after a second-half comeback at the Emirates

Arteta insists potential new Arsenal striker needs to be the right fit

Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah completed a second-half comeback against West Ham.

The Premier League leaders were missing the injured Gabriel Jesus for the first time this season and trailed at half time after Said Benrahma converted a first-half penalty.

But in the absence of Jesus, Arsenal’s other forwards stepped up when Saka and Martinelli scored in the space of five minutes to flip the Boxing Day fixture on its head, with Nketiah adding a third with a brilliant turn and finish shortly afterwards.

The win was Arsenal’s fourth in a row, moving them seven points clear of Newcastle and eight ahead of Manchester City, and came as former manager Arsene Wenger returned to the club for the first time since his exit in 2018.

Follow all the reaction from the final Premier League outing on Boxing Day below

Arsenal vs West Ham

• FT! Arsenal return from World Cup to move seven points clear at top of the Premier League table
• 69’ GOAL! Nketiah spins Kehrer in the box before firing brilliant finish into the corner (ARS 3-1 WHU)
• 58’ GOAL! Martinelli catches Fabianski out at near post as Arsenal complete rapid turnaround (ARS 2-1 WHU)
• 53’ GOAL! Odegaard’s wayward shot finds Saka who equalises for Arsenal (ARS 1-1 WHU)
• 45+3’ NO PENALTY! Referee Oliver points to the spot but VAR correctly overturns handball decision (ARS 0-1 WHU)
• 27’ GOAL! Benrahma stays cool to put it down the middle as West Ham take the lead (ARS 0-1 WHU)
• 25’ PENALTY WEST HAM! Bowen goes down in the box after Saliba dives in (ARS 0-0 WHU)
• 5’ NO GOAL! Saka strike ruled out for offside after slight touch in build up (ARS 0-0 WHU)

[26 December 2022 19:51 · Michael Jones]

Moyes vs Arsenal

David Moyes has lost 17 away games in all competitions against Arsenal, more than against any other opponent.

Defeat would leave West Ham with 10 defeats from their first 16 Premier League games for the first time since the 2006/07 campaign.

Their solitary victory in eight previous Boxing Day matches was 4-1 at Swansea City in 2016.

[26 December 2022 19:48 · Michael Jones]

Arsenal vs West Ham

Arsenal are the only side to have scored in every Premier League match this season, while they also have the joint-best defensive record.

That turnaround stems from the coaching of boss Mikel Arteta who, today, marks three years to the day since his first game as manager of Arsenal; a 1-1 Premier League draw at Bournemouth.

[26 December 2022 19:45 · Michael Jones]

Arsenal vs West Ham

West Ham are in danger of losing four consecutive Premier League games in a season for the first time since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

The 11 away league defeats in 2022 is their most in a calendar year since losing 12 in 2013. The Hammers have just one win and three goals from their seven away league fixtures this season.

[26 December 2022 19:42 · Michael Jones]

Can Arsenal win the league this year?

Arsenal could equal a club record by winning their first seven Premier League home games in a season. They are on a run of nine straight home league victories dating back to last season.

The Gunners have won 10 Boxing Day home fixtures in a row and are unbeaten in 13 since losing to Nottingham Forest in 1987 and they are top of the table at Christmas for the first time since 2007.

However, they failed to win the title on each of the last five occasions that happened.

[26 December 2022 19:39 · Michael Jones]

Arsenal vs West Ham

Arsenal have lost just two of their past 28 Premier League games against West Ham with 21 wins and five draws during that run.

The Hammers have lost 11 of their last 12 league away matches against the Gunners wit the exception being a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend of the 2015/16 season.

This match will also be a third meeting between the two sides on Boxing Day. Arsenal have won the previous two: 1-0 at home in 1998 and 3-1 away in 2013.

[26 December 2022 19:36 · Michael Jones]

Arsenal vs West Ham

Reaction to come from Villa Park but the focus now switches to the last game of the day as Arsenal take on West Ham.

Mikel Arteta’s side could end Boxing Day with an eight point lead over the Premier League champions, Manchester City, if they defeat West Ham tonight.

Here’s a reminder of the teams:

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah

West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Kehrer, Dawson, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen; Antonio

[26 December 2022 19:34 · Michael Jones]

FT Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

That victory means there are no changes in league position for either team. Liverpool remain sixth but are a couple of points better off than the start of the day whilst Aston Villa are 12th and still five points clear of the relegation zone.

[26 December 2022 19:32 · Michael Jones]

FT Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

Stefan Bajcetic settled Liverpool’s nerves by adding a third goal 10 minutes from the end of the 90 to keep the Reds on track for a spot in the top four.

(PA)

(PA)

[26 December 2022 19:28 · Michael Jones]

Full-time: Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

90+4 mins: Liverpool close out the victory and remain inside the top six. They’ve closed the gap on fifth placed Manchester United to just one point.

The Reds are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal but face the Gunners next time out.

[26 December 2022 19:26 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

90+3 mins: John McGinn’s cross into the box takes a deflection and drops in between Ollie Watkins and Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool defender is the first to react and boots the ball clear which should ensure Liverpool take all the points from this game.