Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 4, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
Declan Rice delivered a blow to his former side as Arsenal climbed to the summit of the Premier League table, while Ruben Amorim found brief respite at Manchester United with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta marked his 300th game in charge of the Gunners in style, watching his side comfortably dispatch West Ham 2-0 at the Emirates. The victory strengthens Arsenal’s pursuit of their first league title since 2004 — though it came with a worrying setback as captain Martin Ødegaard limped off before halftime, his third such exit this season.
Despite the injury blow, Arsenal’s squad depth shone through. Rice, signed from West Ham for a club-record £105 million ($141 million) in 2023, broke the deadlock with a thunderous rebound finish after Alphonse Areola failed to hold Eberechi Eze’s powerful shot.
Bukayo Saka doubled the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half after Jurrien Timber was fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf, sealing all three points.
Over at Old Trafford, under-pressure United boss Ruben Amorim finally had something to smile about. Ahead of Sunderland’s visit, the Portuguese coach admitted he was running out of time to turn things around — “I need results now,” he had said.
Amorim, who had managed just 34 points from 33 previous league games, saw his team deliver when it mattered. His decision to start debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens was rewarded with a clean sheet, while Mason Mount justified his selection over Matheus Cunha by opening the scoring after just eight minutes, slotting home from a Bryan Mbeumo assist.
Bruno Fernandes came close to doubling the lead, striking the woodwork, before Benjamin Sesko made it 2-0 with a poacher’s finish from a long throw-in — his first goal at Old Trafford since joining from RB Leipzig for £74 million.
Sunderland, riding high in fifth before the match, thought they had a way back into the game via a penalty just before halftime, but VAR overruled the decision after minimal contact between Sesko and Trai Hume.
The Black Cats, on a four-game unbeaten streak, were handed a dose of reality in their return to the top flight.
Elsewhere, Tottenham continued their defensive resurgence under Thomas Frank, ending Leeds United’s 12-month unbeaten home record with a 2-1 win at Elland Road. Mohammed Kudus netted the winner after Noah Okafor had canceled out Mathys Tel’s early strike.
“That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big,” said Frank, whose side moved into third place.
Liverpool have a chance to reclaim top spot later in the day when they face Chelsea, who are also in desperate need of a result after a poor run in both domestic and European competitions.
Before kickoff at Old Trafford, a moment of silence was observed in honor of the victims of a terror attack on a Manchester synagogue earlier in the week.
