Declan Rice scored his first goal of the season against his former club before Bukayo Saka converted a second-half penalty as Arsenal eased to victory over West Ham in Mikel Arteta’s 300th match in charge.
Arteta marked the milestone with an attacking lineup, fielding a midfield trio of Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Eberechi Eze as part of a side reflecting Arsenal’s £250m summer investment.
But Ødegaard’s evening was cut short once again — the third straight Premier League home game he has been forced off early through injury.
Rice was pushed further forward following the reshuffle and made the breakthrough shortly after the half-hour mark, calmly slotting home after West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola parried Eze’s effort.
The Gunners controlled the match from start to finish, limiting the visitors to long-range efforts, and sealed the points midway through the second half when Jurrien Timber was fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Saka stepped up to bury the resulting penalty — the perfect way to celebrate his 200th Premier League appearance, taking his tally to 55 goals and 45 assists.
The result lifts Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea later on Saturday.
