Arsenal sent a clear message to Liverpool and Manchester City by comfortably beating West Ham on Saturday evening.
The Gunners smashed five past the Hammers at London Stadium, with Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensuring Mikel Arteta's side came out 5-2 winners. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson did pull goals back for the home side but Arsenal managed to see the game out.
The result leaves Arsenal in second place in the Premier League, with the Gunners on 25 points having played 13 games. Liverpool, who face Manchester City on Sunday at Anfield, are six points ahead of Arsenal and have a game in hand.
Brighton are third while Man City are fourth, with both sides on 23 points. Man City would go ahead of Arsenal if they were to win against Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal do have a decent goal difference, as well, with the Gunners on plus-12, while Liverpool are on plus-16.
Before the win over West Ham, Arteta admitted his side need to be near-perfect to catch Liverpool. When asked if Arsenal’s form needs to be perfect to finish ahead of Liverpool, Arteta said: “If they continue then that’s for sure, with the numbers they’re producing and the amount of games they’re winning.
“The focus is on us to maintain the consistency especially and performances that will give us the right to win games, keep the availability in the squad. This is a long run.
“Winning lifts the energy and our confidence up. We’ve had two big wins for us and now it’s about consistency and getting that momentum, take it further against a good opponent tomorrow and try to replicate the performance to win the game.”
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Keep warm on the sidelines