Arsenal

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Martin Odegaard made 45 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season and is usually the go-to man for Arteta.

It was injuries that derailed their title challenge in 2024-25, with Odegaard himself having a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

But this season things are different in north London.

The Gunners spent around £250m in the summer transfer window, bringing in eight new players, and that squad depth has already played a massive part in their strong start to the campaign.

Arteta was able to call on £60m Martin Zubimendi to replace Odegaard and it was his long pass to Eberechi Eze which started the move from which Declan Rice scored the opening goal

Rice also went off with a back injury - but Arteta was able to bring on Mikel Merino and academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri in a real show of squad strength.

The Arsenal manager has already said that the "finishers could be more important than the starting players this season" - although he will hope that he won't have to keep going to his squad because of injury issues.

"It's not ideal because we had really clear intentions with the line-up," he said. "But the good thing is we can bring somebody else in and be a little bit different but still very, very efficient."

Read more on how Odegaard set an unwanted record against West Ham

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures and Friday's action.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

• Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

• Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta has been criticised at times for his conservative team selection but there was no possibility of that happening today.

Arteta may not have been able to see how his midfield selection would have played out after Odegaard's withdrawal 30 minutes into the game, but his pre-match choices show the mentality at Arsenal this season.

Riccardo Calafiori, was given license to come into midfield alongside the deep-lying Rice to allow Eze and Odegaard to push further up the pitch.

This continued when the excellent Zubimendi was introduced and two of his forward passes played a big part in the Arsenal goals.

Rice showed with his goal why the transition from a number six to a number eight has been made. His running power and ability to time his runs to get on the end of balls was shown with his goal.

Arteta was also able to bring on Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino, highlighting squad strength that has been key to his side's positive start to this season.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking after the victory over West Ham: "Very happy. We knew it would be a tough match. Three games in seven days and two very intense games before this. Very happy."

On learning from previous defeats by West Ham: "When we played Newcastle we said we had to learn from the past and the scars we had in that stadium. Today as well we lost the previous two at the Emirates (against West Ham) but we won today and fully deserved it."

On Odegaard's injury: "With Martin it was a clash knee to knee. It's not looking very positive at the moment."

On Rice's substitution: "With Declan he was struggling with back pain and he asked me to come off. Let's see what the doctor says now and what is best for him."

On Saka scoring on his 200th appearance: "It's exceptional what he's doing at his age. The impact he has on those matches, it's very difficult to do and I'm very happy for him. He's super consistent and willing to learn constantly. He finds ways to find goals. He will grow and become more mature. Hopefully he'll keep impacting the team."

Bukayo Saka speaking to BBC Match of the Day on making 200th Premier League appearance for the club: "It is a beautiful feeling. A big achievement as well so I am very proud.

"It has been a really successful week for us as a team with three games and three wins. We go into the international break in a good place in the Premier League and Champions League.

"It has been a strong start to the season. We've had some tough games, particularly away. We are in a strong place in the Premier League and looking forward to coming back and pushing on.

"Mikel [Arteta] has very much improved my game as a lot. I am very grateful to have him as my coach. He will bring this club success and looking forward to when that day comes.

Did you know?

• Bukayo Saka made his 200th Premier League appearance, the seventh youngest player to do so overall (24y 29) and the second youngest for Arsenal after Cesc Fabregas in 2011 (23y 242d).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Odegaard, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Nwaneri, Norgaard, Mosquera, White, Martinelli, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly

West Ham starting XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Diouf, Magassa, Paqueta, Fernandes, Summervile, Bowen, Fullkrug

Subs: Hermansen, Scarles, Walker-Peters, Julio, Wilson, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Potts, Marshall

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Leeds United v Tottenham (12:30)

• Arsenal v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Chelsea v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

West Ham have won on their past two visits to Emirates Stadium but I don't look at Arsenal at the moment and see a team that is going to drop points.

The Hammers grew into the game against Everton in Nuno Espirito Santo's first match in charge, but I am expecting the Gunners to be too strong for them.

Arsenal are a powerhouse at the moment and their squad depth is frightening. Defensively they are outstanding - they have conceded only three goals in six league games, the fewest in the Premier League - and this should be comfortable for them.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

West Ham may have had a poor start to the season, but they are chasing a third straight victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes before Saturday's match.

Arsenal have only lost four of their past 42 home Premier League matches, but half of those have been inflicted by West Ham on their past two visits.

The Hammers are now looking to become only the second side to win three successive Premier League away games against the Gunners after Manchester City managed six from March 2018 to February 2023 - while Arsenal have won only two of their past six against their east London rivals, albeit 6-0 and 5-2 victories at London Stadium.

Both clubs have suffered vastly differing starts to the season. Arsenal's only defeat in nine matches was a narrow loss at Liverpool and they secured another victory against Olympiakos in midweek to make it two from two in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta, who will be taking charge of his 300th Gunners game, made six changes from the side that beat Newcastle as he again showcased the squad depth he now has at his disposal.

Beleaguered West Ham began life under Nuno Espirito Santo with a creditable draw at Everton on Monday, despite their new boss having just two training sessions with his players. It was their first point in the Premier League since the end of August.

Despite a tumultuous run under Graham Potter, the Hammers have actually only lost one of their past five Premier League away games (W3, D1) and their last 10 top-flight points have all come on the road.

Much of the tactical battle in this fixture is expected to come down to corners as Arsenal, the set-piece kings, face the team that concede the most.

Nine of the Gunners' past 14 Premier League goals have been scored via seven corners, one free-kick and one penalty, and the record of Arteta's side stands alongside the past masters of the set-piece in Tony Pulis and Sean Dyche.

These stats must give West Ham fans sleepless nights given their well-documented struggles with corners this season, having let in eight, five more than any other top-flight club.

To further emphasis the gulf between these London rivals, Arsenal are undefeated in 31 of their past 34 league matches - and in that same period of games West Ham have lost exactly half their top-flight fixtures.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST)

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta says he is "not too concerned" about Gabriel's injury. On fellow defender Piero Hincapie, he said that Saturday's match has come too quickly for him and he will be available after the international break.

• There were no new updates on Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus, who continue to recover from their injuries.

• On Myles Lewis-Skelly's inclusion in the England squad and Thomas Tuchel speaking highly of him: "For someone like Thomas, who I know very well, to describe Myles in that way is credit to the boy, family and everybody who has been a part of of his education. Myles has probably not played as many minutes as he would have liked, but he is professional in the way he has been engaging with his team and he gives you the possibility to count on him."

• Saturday's match will be Arteta's 300th as Arsenal manager. He said he hopes there are "many more to come", adding: "When I started on day one I had no idea how long or with who. The only thing I can say is thank you and that I enjoy every minute it."

• It could also be Bukayo Saka's 200th Premier League match if he plays and Arteta said: "On my first game here, I visualised Bukayo playing as a left-back! He has come very far up the pitch and very far on his journey; very far as a person and the role he has in the team."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Arsenal v West Ham at 15:00 on Saturday

Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming international break.

The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October, before a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on 14 October.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer is absent after suffering an injury, while there is no place for Manchester City's Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from City.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney says William Saliba's new Arsenal deal could attract high calibre players to join the club in January and next summer.

The 24-year-old's previous contract was scheduled to expire in June 2027 but he signed an extension this week to keep him in north London until 2030.

"Saliba is a fantastic player. For his team-mates, the fans and Mikel Arteta, to get his signature on a new contract is huge," Rooney told The Wayne Rooney Show.

"That helps with maybe other players following suit and players coming in in January and next summer.

"When you know there is stability, that helps everyone out so it is a massive signing.

"Saliba and Gabriel complement each other really well. You can see them leading and talking - that is what you need at centre-back.

"They are arguably the best centre-back pair in the league.

"You always want to play against the better players.

"Would I put them at the same level as players I have played against? No, I wouldn't. In this current age, the centre-backs are nowhere near as good as the ones I played against.

"But, they are possibly the best pairing in this day."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the clubs tracking Club Tijuana's 16-year-old Mexican attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Dan Roan
Sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.

The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.

However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.

BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.

In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.

However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.

SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.

Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.

Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."

He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.

"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."

Read more here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's 2-0 win against Olympiakos maintained their formidable recent record at home in the league or group phase of European competitions.

The Gunners have won their past 14 such games at Emirates Stadium in either the Champions League or Europa League, keeping clean sheets in each of the previous 11. Only Liverpool, with 15 straight victories, are currently on a longer winning streak.

Mikel Arteta's side do not have an unblemished home record in knockout matches during this period, having lost to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals last term. PSV Eindhoven also escaped defeat in north London earlier this year (losing heavily on aggregate), while Sporting won on penalties there in the Europa League in 2023.

But Arsenal's record in the preliminary stage is mightily impressive. They will look to extend that winning run in their next Champions League game, with Atletico Madrid the visitors on 21 October.

Chris Howard
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The phrase 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' feels very apt after a performance like Martin Odegaard's.

Having just returned from his second injury already this season, the Arsenal and Norway captain put in a skipper's display against an Olympiakos side that I have to admit were more impressive than I had expected.

They pressed well, looked a threat (more so in the first half) and didn't sit in a low block. When teams play like that, normally we can pick them apart.

Odegaard is usually the chief lock picker in that respect and his radar was certainly finely tuned. His ball to set up Viktor Gyokeres for the chance that led to Gabriel Martinelli's tap-in was simply sublime.

But it was not just such delightful passing that made Odegaard's game stand out. He dictated everything that was good in our approach play and I noticed that, rather than leading the press as he usually does, this time he sat a little deeper and acted more like a conductor of an orchestra - picking the ball up, often from David Raya, and then distributing.

So much of his game has been well documented as being part of our right hand side 'pod' and for sure, he popped up in those positions enough, but he also found space across the pitch. It was an all-energy display from him.

It feels like we have been denied that so far this season, on account of two freak shoulder injuries, that have limited him to a bit-part role.

But this showed that he's ready to be the main character. If we get more performances like that from Norway's poster boy, I think it will take us a long way towards the objectives that we are all thinking about but perhaps are not quite ready to say out loud just yet.

Arteta has options all over the pitch but the captain must surely still be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external

Not an Arsenal fan? Find your team here

We asked for your thoughts on Arsenal's 2-0 win against Olympiakos in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Rob: I'm still not convinced. So OK they won but again they are still profligate. Why pay all that money for Eze and he doesn't start him. Not ruthless enough. They were better last year even though they came up short. They were free flowing - look at results against Sporting and Real Madrid. They seem to have gone back to boring Arsenal. One improvement though, they are at least trying to play through balls to [Viktor] Gyokeres. [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Martin] Odegaard seem to have found their mojo but no excuses. No trophy win then adios Arteta!

John: Good enough to win the game in the end but need to up performance levels against the better teams as the competition goes on.

Micky: Cool and clinical tonight. It was a tough match that was only made harder by our own misplaced passes and bad touches. In the end, I'm a bit gutted it wasn't more but a win is a win. Up the gunners!

Samuel: I have very good feelings about Arsenal this season. Our squad depth is the best I've seen in my 30 years of watching Arsenal but the Premier League remains priority.

Lee: Got the job done but still not convincing. Don't move the ball fast enough when attacking and still no cutting edge. Arsenal are a difficult watch.

Alun: Better finishing and it could have been a cricket score. Odegaard put on his best performance of the last 18 months. [Leandro] Trossard proving once again he shouldn't be in the starting 11. [David] Raya is the best signing Arteta has made, he's the most consistent player we have and should've been player of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson says Gabriel Martinelli has looked "hungry" to impress after losing his place in the team following the summer arrivals of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

The Brazil international has only started two of the Gunners' six Premier League games so far this season, but has scored in both Champions League appearances and impressed from the start in Wednesday's win over Olympiacos.

"The one that jumps out at me is Martinelli," Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "The reaction that they've had out of him after signing Eze and Madueke has been excellent.

"He looks like he's hungry to prove himself in every single game. Three goals and an assist so far this season, more than any other Arsenal player.

"That for me has to be a reaction. You bring these players in and you expect great things from them, but actually you can end up getting more from the ones you already have if they react in the way that Martinelli has.

"Credit to him. He knows he has to fight and scrap for a place in the team at the moment because the competition's really, really high and he has done that exceptionally well.

"Well done, Martinelli."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gabriel Martinelli-based puns are the order of the day on some of Thursday's back pages after the Brazil international's early goal helped Arsenal maintain their perfect start to the league phase of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Olympiacos.

The Express carries the title 'Gab Fab' as a play on 'Ab Fab' - a shorter version for famous British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous - while The Star opts for 'Mart and Soul'.

Both carry pictures of Martinelli celebrating his second goal in two Champions League appearances this season.