Mikel Arteta celebrated his 300th match as Arsenal manager in style as goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 win against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
The Hammers had triumphed in their last two visits to Arsenal, threatening the Gunners’ title hopes, but Rice, now back with his former club, ensured a different outcome this time.
The ex-West Ham captain opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a powerful finish, before Saka converted a penalty in the 67th minute to wrap up a comfortable victory for Arteta’s side.
Despite the win, it was not a perfect day for the Gunners. Captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off early due to injury, while Viktor Gyökeres remained goalless, extending his drought to six matches heading into the October international break.
Newly appointed West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo faces bigger challenges, with the east London club rooted in the Premier League relegation zone after their fifth defeat of the season.
Arteta, responding to recent criticism over cautious tactics, opted for an ambitious midfield trio of Ødegaard, Rice, and Eberechi Eze for his milestone match.
West Ham almost set the tone immediately, with Niclas Füllkrug heading wide from a corner in the opening minute.
Arsenal threatened soon after, but Eze squandered a close-range opportunity in the 13th minute, while Gyökeres was denied by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Ødegaard’s afternoon ended prematurely in the 29th minute after he went down twice earlier, highlighting another setback in his injury-plagued season.
His replacement, Martín Zubimendi, quickly made an impact, threading a precise pass to Eze, whose shot was parried by Areola, allowing Rice to fire home the opener.
The former West Ham captain kept his celebrations muted, though he cast a pointed glance toward the away fans as his teammates applauded.
The first half ended 1-0, though Arsenal came close to doubling the lead in stoppage time when Riccardo Calafiori’s 20-yard effort struck the post before Mavropanos cleared.
After the break, West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s foul on Jurriën Timber led to a penalty in the 67th minute, which Saka confidently converted from 12 yards, taking responsibility over Gyökeres, who has struggled to score since his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon in July.
Gyökeres remained on the pitch but failed to add to the scoreline. Nonetheless, Arteta’s 300th match as Arsenal boss ended on a high, with three vital points keeping his side on course.
