The question of whether Arsenal could continue their remarkable form in the Premier League without Gabriel Jesus was quickly put to bed last night. The Gunners came from behind to defeat West Ham 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium to extend their lead at the top to seven points.
Mikel Arteta's side had to overcome some challenges, however, after falling 1-0 behind in the first half courtesy of a Said Benrahma spot-kick. But Arsenal wasted no time in turning events around with three goals in 16 second half minutes.
The Gunners forward line all chipped in with goals as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah handed Arsenal their 13th league win of the season. The dominant display ensured Arteta's side continued their impressive run this season and piled more pressure onto Manchester City ahead of their trip to Leeds United on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Declan Rice delivers honest Arsenal Premier League title prediction after win vs West Ham
Whilst Arteta's men conducted their business on the pitch, news broke that a first bid had been for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. Whilst it's unclear how much the Gunners' first bid was, it's expected that the Ukrainian side will demand more for the 21-year-old.
The national media have, as always, provided their view of proceedings. So with that said, football.london brings you a look at their assessment of how Arsenal's Boxing Day fixture played out.
The sight of Eddie Nketiah stepping in for Gabriel Jesus was no surprise. The only question surrounded how the Hale End graduate would operate.
“We have more faith in Eddie every single day," manager Arteta said in the build-up to the game. "We see every day what he brings to the team, what he is as a human being and the way he is developing as a player."
Runs in behind were the order of the day early on, and Arsenal almost benefited only for the 23-year-old to stray offside before teeing up Saka for what looked like being the opener. There were more impressive touches from the frontman throughout the first period, with Craig Dawson and Thilo Kehrer forced to be vigilant at the back for the visitors.
When the goal did arrive - and it was a case of when rather than if - it was the kind of movement and confidence many hoped to see from Nketiah, even if they haven't come to expect it just yet. Arsenal might still decide they need another striker in January, but Nketiah has shown he deserves his chance.
“One Arsène Wenger” was the chant ringing around the Emirates. Up in the directors’ box, the old master responded with a wave. Gabriel Martinelli had just put Arsenal in front, some of the football was reminiscent of their glory years and, on his first visit since departing emotionally in 2018, the architect of those times would have been forgiven a sense that the good old days were coming back.
Perhaps they really are. Although this was ultimately a comfortable victory for the leaders it felt significant: plenty of watching eyes were wondering whether six weeks off might have checked any title pretensions in their stride. West Ham were the kind of awkward opponents who could test that idea but, like virtually everyone who crossed Arsenal’s path between August and November, they were thoroughly outplayed.
Watching from afar was Mykhailo Mudryk, the Shakhtar Donetsk winger who might soon be part of this Arsenal attack. The 21-year-old posted on social media, to show he was following the game, a few hours after it emerged that Arsenal had made a formal bid of more than £50m (including add-ons) for his services.
Mudryk clearly wants this move and, frankly, which talented young footballer would not want to play for Arsenal at the moment? This is now a place where young players become better, and they are doing so all at once in Arteta’s team. To prove the point: the goalscoring trio of Saka, Nketiah and Martinelli has an average age of 22.
The match came on the third anniversary of Arteta's first game as Arsenal manager, and significant progress has been made since then.
When the former Gunners midfielder took over, they were closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
Their current position - and mood around the club - is a measure of how they have come.
The Spaniard has built a new team in the past three years which bears little resemblance - in style and substance - to the one picked for his first game at Bournemouth in 2019.
Arteta will not be getting carried after this win over West Ham, especially with several significant fixtures - not least against Manchester City on 15 February - on the horizon.
But the Gunners sent a message with a clinical second-half performance and the omens are also in their favour.
READ NEXT:
Nketiah's most important goal, talisman Odegaard: Arsenal winners and losers after West Ham win
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Mykhaylo Mudryk bid, Arsene Wenger return and Nketiah's display
Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard star
Edu given key Arsenal backing to complete striker transfer to replace Gabriel Jesus in January
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
