Mikel Arteta is going for the international break in high spirits after beating their London rival, West Ham United, 2-0, at the Emirates stadium on 4th October, 2025.
Declan Rice, a former West Ham United player opened the score sheet with a volley on the rebound not too long before half-time. Rice broke the deadlock after Areola's sloppy attempt to keep out Jurrien Timber's strike; he put on a serious effort from close range to give Arsenal the lead.
Declan Rice's goal was critical in breaking West Ham United's resistance and put Mikel Arteta's side on a stronger position heading into the second half.
Arsenal were remarkably dominant in the second half, they created a couple of incredible chances, and were soon rewarded with a second goal from a Saka penalty, following El Hadji Malick Diouf's foul against Jurrien Timber, in the 67th minute of the game.
That was enough to secure all three points for Arsenal and it pushed the gunners to the top of the league table, a head of Liverpool. The win against West Ham United extends Arsenal's impressive performance, winning five out of six games in all competitions.
It wasn't an all happy day for Mikel Arteta, as Martin Odegaard, the captain, had to leave the pitch early on due to a knee injury. Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta was satisfied with the team's overall performance: "still, the team is performing, playing well, winning today with absolute dominance and without conceding a goal," he said in a post-match interview.
