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Arsenal finally end winless run with West Ham fight-back

Arsenal finally tasted victory again after coming from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 at the London Stadium.

The Gunners arrived in east London on a nine-game winless run – their worst spell since 1977 – and looked set for more despair when Angelo Ogbonna’s header took a wicked deflection and nestled in their net.

But after a turgid opening hour, the visitors suddenly clicked into life with three goals in nine minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli fired home on his full Premier League debut, Nicolas Pepe rifled into the top corner and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished smartly to give Arsenal and interim boss Freddie Ljungberg a much-needed win.

Arsenal could have taken the lead in a scrappy first-half in the 33rd minute through Mesut Ozil, but he nodded his free header over the bar following a dangerous cross from Aubameyang.

Five minutes later and West Ham took the lead. Pablo Fornals’ dinked cross was met by the central defender and the Italian’s header deflected past a helpless Bernd Leno. The goal was checked by VAR for a potential handball from Ogbonna, but it stood.

Ljungberg’s men improved in the second half and it was Martinelli’s first-time strike on the hour mark which sparked the visitors’ revival. Six minutes later and Pepe picked up a pass from Aubameyang on the edge of the box and curled his left-footed strike into the top corner.

Aubameyang then sealed the victory in the 69th minute as the Gabon international showed excellent technique to turn in Pepe’s dinked cross on the volley on what proved to be a relatively comfortable night for the under-pressure Gunners.

Despite Arsenal’s defensive frailties, their front three delivered a display of the highest quality. Martinelli was excellent on the left and made his presence felt with his first Premier League goal, while Pepe’s lively display and fine goal reminded the Arsenal fans why the club paid his £72 million transfer fee in the summer.

 Aubameyang’s goal was well taken and he picked up an assist for good measure as he continues to be more than productive for the Gunners this season. – Eurosport

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