It was the opposite of what Arsenal and their fans, as well as football pundits, expected. Minutes ago it was a big heartbreak for the runaway favourites as they fumbled at the emirates, losing by two unreplied goals to visiting underdogs West ham United.

No, none of the goals came via a penalty; title contenders Arsenal fielded their first-team star-studded squad, and no one was sent off.

So what happened? Well, the Gunners simply met what they never expected in West Ham, who defended brilliantly, attacked whenever they could, and made the most of their scoring chances.

The first goal in the 2015/2016 English Premiership opener for both sides came in the 43rd minute when Kouyate beat Arsenal’s new goalie, the veteran Petr Cech (bought from defending champions Chelsea during the break) to Payet’s free-kick delivery and headed into a yawning net.

Hopes that the Gunners would avenge the blow in the second half proved to be unfounded. In the 57th minute, Mauro Zárate dispossessed Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the area and his early shot caught Cech off-guard and skidded into the corner.

All efforts by the homers to reduce the tally proved abortive, with The Hammers leaving the Emirates with the full three points at stake.

•Photo shows Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger wondering what hit him . . . minutes ago at the Emirates.