Mikel Arteta said he was extremely happy with the performance from his Arsenal side after securing a 6-0 win at West Ham.
Arsenal earned their biggest ever Premier League away win after humiliating the Hammers at the London Stadium.
The Gunners extended their record as the most prolific team in the division from set-pieces as William Saliba and Gabriel headed in from dead balls either side of Bukayo Saka’s penalty, before Leandro Trossard made it 4-0 to the visitors before half-time.
The West Ham fans headed for the exit in their thousands at half-time after a humbling on home soil, though those who chose to stay saw little improvement. Saka cut inside to score his second of the afternoon for Arsenal’s fifth, before Declan Rice marked his return to the Hammers with a spectacular sixth from distance.
Arsenal move within two points of leaders Liverpool and remain behind second-placed Manchester City only on goals scored.
“I’m extremely happy. The way we performed, the way we played. Such a big score in a really difficult place tells you a lot about how well the boys played today,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“It’s great to make [club] history especially the way we have done it. We’re in a good moment and we you have good moments you have to build and maintain the momentum. The team from the beginning looked really sharp. We had to put right the last two results against them and that was a good motivation for the boys.
“When you talk about consistency at his [Bukayo Saka] age…what he has done in the last two or three seasons in remarkable. His attitude, his quality, what he delivers every week…it’s really difficult to find. That’s why he is so important to us.
“It’s always difficult to come back to your old club. The fans were really good to him [Declan Rice] When he went to take the corner they clapped him so it’s great to see that kind of reception. He loves this club so much and I know what it meant to him to play today.
“We have to share the goals. That desire and that commitment to get into the box to make things happen, it was excellent.”
