Arsenal and West Ham provided one of the most entertaining halves of football the Premier League has seen, followed by one of the most dull to see out the 5-2 victory. It looked to the world like the Gunners were on to repeat their six-goal rout of last season but a Hammers comeback threatened to unsettle Mikel Arteta’s side before a big referee call gave Arsenal a penalty to score their fifth.

There was however plenty more contention throughout the game with the decisions on both sides. Anthony Taylor received criticism from Arsenal supporters and West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui.

The decisions on the day could have decided a different outcome with serious implications at both ends of the table. With that said, football.london takes a look at the different incidents and gives its verdict on the incidents from the game.

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Gabriel goal

In what has become a scarily consistent form of Arsenal goalscoring, Gabriel Magalhaes grabbed the Gunners opener with a header from a Bukayo Saka corner. The Brazilian has scored so many big goals from these positions that it becomes evident how much Arsenal work on creating these situations for him.

However, there was some analysis around Jurrien Timber’s involvement in the goal which as the below image shows he makes some contact with Lucas Paqueta as the cross flies in. Manipulating the Hammers midfielder out of the path of the ball for Gabriel to head in.

FL review: Both Anthony Taylor and the VAR who looked at the goal did not deem this to be a clear and obvious error on the day. I empathise with those who feel there could be a foul to a degree as on several viewings the defender’s action and motive looks clear, however, it doesn’t appear enough to constitute a clear foul and should goals be ruled out for this level of contact at set pieces, the game would have far fewer goals.

FL verdict: Goal stands. The correct decision by the officials.

Saka penalty

Bukayo Saka had one of his strongest performances in an Arsenal shirt providing two assists and scoring the second penalty. However, it was indeed the England international who won the first of the day.

Cutting inside the West Ham defence and taking the ball past Lucas Paqueta. The midfielder swung out a hopeful leg and brought Saka down, Anthony Taylor immediately pointing to the spot.

FL review: Very simple one this, Paqueta gets nothing of the ball and connects with Saka’s foot. Stonewall.

FL verdict: Correct decision, penalty.

Declan Rice challenge

Sadly a situation where VAR has no jurisdiction as it was for a free-kick not a penalty. Again Paqueta, who had an eventful game, is involved as he gets brought down by Declan Rice who slid in to connect with a loose ball back to Riccardo Calafiori.

Taylor gives the free-kick standing mere feet from the incident. Emerson steps up and scores the strike giving the Hammers hope and flipping the game’s momentum on its head.

FL review: Another simple call in a game going against Arsenal and costing them a goal but thankfully not the game. As seen in recent weeks with obvious corner calls not going Arsenal’s way, here a very clear take of the ball from Rice is punished to the nth degree.

FL verdict: Wrong decision, fair challenge, never a free-kick.

Gabriel penalty

It was vital that Arsenal scored the next goal after the Emerson free-kick and thankfully they were given the chance to do just that by former Gunners keeper Lukasz Fabianski who collided with Gabriel from, you guessed it, a corner. Gabriel rising to meet a cross connects with the ball as the Polish keeper’s fist meets the defender’s head.

Taylor didn’t seem to immediately make the call and there was some confusion in the ground as to what had been given – even the Arsenal fans didn’t know until Saka stepped up holding the ball. A big call at this stage of the game by the official.

FL review: This time though Taylor gets it spot on. Goalkeepers get far too much protection in the sport and it is good to see this type of action change and in fact it has been something that has gone unpunished before.

Yann Sommer did the exact same to Mikel Merino in the defeat to Inter Milan and nothing was given. Arteta was incensed after the game.

"He punches him in the head!" he said. This time the decision was given and Saka secured the win with the fifth Arsenal goal of the game but Lopetegui thought differently.

FL verdict: Correct decision, penalty.