Bukayo Saka admitted he was still frustrated with his performance despite scoring twice in Arsenal’s big win over West Ham.
The Gunners moved level on points, and goal difference, with Manchester City, and just two points off Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with a 6-0 rout at the London Stadium.
After a goalless half an hour at the start of the match, Arsenal scored four times in a 15-minute spell before the break.
William Saliba opened the scoring with a header, before Saka converted a penalty he had won after being brought down by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Gabriel got himself on the scoresheet again, with Leandro Trossard then adding a fourth in added-time.
More goals followed after the break, as Saka lashed home his second of the afternoon and Declan Rice then struck with a wonderful long-range effort against his former club, refusing to celebrate despite the brilliant finish.
Saka’s brace took him to 50 goals for Arsenal, the youngest to reach that mark since Frank Stapleton in 1978, but the 22-year-old felt he should have had more to celebrate.
“Really? To be honest, I’m really happy to achieve that,” Saka told Sky Sports when informed of the milestone.
“But I’m not sure I can be happy today. I missed some chances that I feel I could have scored. Obviously it’s a great achievement, so I’m proud of that.”
After a stumbling run around Christmas, Arsenal are now on a four-match winning run in the Premier League, backing up last weekend’s victory over Liverpool in emphatic fashion to keep themselves firmly in the title race.
The Gunners have scored 16 goals in those four matches, finding a ruthless edge to quieten questions over their performances in front of goal.
“We were 4-0 up in the first-half and could have scored many more, including myself,” Saka said.
“I think we smelt blood today, we went for the kill and did really well to score more. We’re happy.”
