Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

ARSENAL moved into the top four with a 2-0 victory over West Ham at Ashburton Grove last night — a result manager Mikel Arteta branded a “big game.”

Second-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and substitute Emile Smith Rowe helped the north Londoners to victory as they leapfrogged the Irons into fourth spot. 

Alexandre Lacazette was named captain in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was not included in the squad after a disciplinary breach.

Former Lyon striker Lacazette provided an assist for Martinelli’s opener and had a penalty saved by former Gunner Lukasz Fabianski, after Vladimir Coufal was sent off for a second yellow for hauling the forward down in the box.

It was a dominant performance throughout from Arteta’s side: possible future Arsenal captain Kieran Tierney hit the crossbar, while there were further chances for Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and defender Gabriel as the north Londoners continued to build momentum in their hunt for a Champions League place.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “It was a big game for us, having the capacity to go fourth, and it was a statement. [The position] is much better than we were, and we want to be higher.

“We want to find consistency. This league is absolutely ruthless and whatever you do today, tomorrow is different.

“We needed a big performance and I think we did it. They were fully focused and wanted to show how strong we are as a team. 

“The commitment and attitude they showed was what we wanted. We knew we had to play well today to beat West Ham, and we did.”

The triumph capped a good week for Arsenal on the pitch, with two league wins in two, five goals scored and none conceded.