Why Mikel Arteta was particularly pleased with Arsenal win vs West Ham: 'A lot of learnings'

Mikel Arteta was delighted to put the scars of previous defeats behind him as he masterminded a dominant Arsenal victory over West Ham.

After losing this fixture at the Emirates in both of the previous two seasons, just like at Newcastle a week ago, the Gunners have flipped the script twice in the space of a week.

The win took Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool's Saturday night trip to Chelsea. And Arteta admitted that he had told his players of the opportunity that this game brought, and by the time Saturday came to a conclusion, it had well and truly been taken.

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“The last two games have been very special in that sense in Newcastle because we had a history there, a lot of scars and a lot of learnings to take, we put that right, and then we had West Ham losing two games at home in the previous two seasons,” he said.

“I told them it was a big opportunity, we had very difficult fixtures since the start of the season, some very bad injuries as well, not helping, and still the team is performing, playing well and winning today with absolute dominance and without conceding a goal.”

Bukayo Saka revealed he had received a message from Arsenal icon Thierry Henry prior to the match to make it clear to him exactly what was on the line. The winger added his 100th Premier League goal involvement in his 200th league match for the Gunners.

“He messaged me this morning as well to remind me we lost the last two games against West Ham at home,” he said. “He is always pushing me, and I think he wants me there with him.”

West Ham failed to register a single shot on David Raya’s goal. New head coach Nuno Espirito Santo believes however his players are reacting to the little time he has had with them.

"Now is the moment to analyse but with all the changes that has been happening I feel the players are responding and trying and that pleases me the most.

"The international break will be important for all of us, especially for the players to be calm, there's been many changes and many noises around us.

"This is our priority – that we know each other as a group because it is basically our unity and fight for each other.”