Arsenal’s title tilt rolls on after the Gunners decimated West Ham with a 6-0 win that included four first-half goals.
With title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both recording wins on Saturday afternoon, the pressure was on Mikel Arteta’s men to do the same.
Gunners’ record signing Declan Rice was the subject of some boos early on both ahead of kick-off and each time he was in possession, there was no animosity in the other direction though, with the midfielder applauding Hammers fans while making his way over to take a corner.
Arteta’s decision to hire set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has proved to be an inspired on, with seemingly every dead-ball ending up in a goal for Arsenal at the moment. This term, the Gunners are the Premier League’s most lethal team from set-pieces, with a stunning 17 goals.
The first of the afternoon came when Rice’s corner found the head of Saliba, after every Arsenal attacker took up a unique deep position, with a plethora of yellow shirts all occupying the back-post. The sight of Jover striding forward to the top of the technical area for every corner and free-kick is now a common one.
Whatever message he is relaying is clearly working, with Arsenal converting from a free-kick three minutes after Saka had scored from the spot. Gabriel Magalhaes, who is never one to shy away from popping up with a goal, got his fourth goal of the campaign.
From that point onwards, each Arsenal corner and free-kick drew a nervous gasp from sections of the West Ham faithful who feared the worst.
When he decided to leave West Ham for a Premier League and indeed London rival in Arsenal, Rice would have been well aware it would divide opinion among the Hammers faithful.
With that being said, it’s likely he’d have also dreamed of a triumphant return to his old stomping ground when the time came to take on West Ham at the London Stadium. November saw Rice come off the bench during a 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat, but this was the one that really mattered.
This time, he put in a trademark combative display in the middle of the park, mixed with the technical flair that justifies Rice’s £105m price-tag. Dominating and dictating proceedings at his pace, the former Hammer even managed to get himself two assists after his corner and free-kicks were nodded home by Saliba and Gabriel respectively.
“10 more years, 10 more years Declan Rice” rung out from the away end, to add further insult to injury for the home fans. Imagine their delight when he whipped in Arsenal’s sixth from distance.
He didn’t celebrate, though the goal was worthy of one and was soon hauled off. While making his way off the pitch, Rice was applauded by the fans that once worshipped him, and he returned the gesture.
By now, it is blindingly obvious to just about everyone that Saka is one of the Premier League’s finest attacking talents. There is now a discussion to be had over whether he is Arsenal’s finest ever academy graduate.
Of course, he doesn’t boast the honours list of Ashley Cole or even Cesc Fabregas (if he counts). But time and time again when his side need him most, it is Saka who steps up. He had the courage to take the penalty in the first-half despite last season’s nightmare, while his second was something that no ‘keeper could have stopped.
After a difficult spell between Christmas and New Year, Arteta was well aware his side needed an inspired run of form. They have now recorded four league wins from four since the turn of the year.
Last term saw Arsenal operate as pace setters for the bulk of the season, but these last few weeks would suggest the Gunners are more comfortable being part of the chasing pack as they aim to hit form at just the right time.