Arsenal fell behind but Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah scored their second-half goals to see off West Ham 3-1
“One Arsène Wenger” was the chant ringing around the Emirates. Up in the directors’ box, the old master responded with a wave. Gabriel Martinelli had just putin front, some of the football was reminiscent of their glory years and, on his first visit since departing emotionally in 2018, the architect of those times would have been forgiven a sense that the good old days were coming back.
Perhaps they really are. Although this was ultimately a comfortable victory for the leaders it felt significant: plenty of watching eyes were wondering whether six weeks off might have checked any title pretensions in their stride. West Ham were the kind of awkward opponents who could test that idea but, like virtually everyone who crossed Arsenal’s path between August and November, they were thoroughly outplayed.
“He picked the right moment, a really special day,” said a beaming Mikel Arteta of his old boss’s presence. “Boxing Day is a beautiful day to play football and I think the performance was at the level he deserved. Hopefully he liked it. There will be no concerns on that score. Arsenal were irresistible after the interval and danced to the tune of Martin Ødegaard, who was on song from the first whistle and produced a lesson in the playmaker’s art. Arteta was keen to highlight his captain’s work off the ball but his two assists, even if the first looked fortunate, produced more instant gratification. It was, at risk of labouring a point, an individual display fit for the height of Wenger’s era.
It did in strange fashion when Ødegaard, apparently attempting to shoot from 30 yards, dragged his effort straight into the feet of an unmarked Saka. There was time and space but the situation still required an ice-cool finish, which was duly provided. A more generous interpretation would be that Ødegaard fizzed his teammate a firm, fully meant pass that demanded putting away; he is capable of it but, whatever the reality, everyone could agree Arsenal were off and running.
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