Arsenal returned to Premier League action yesterday and ensured there was no World Cup hangover with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United. Mikel Arteta's side showed the mentality of champions in the second half with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
The Gunners are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League and the win over their London rivals ensured they enter the New Year as league leaders.
During the contest, there was plenty for Arsenal supporters to dig their teeth into off-the-pitch. On the transfer front, Shakhtar Donetsk received an official bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk, understood to be around £55million including add-ons. There was also the first appearance at the Emirates Stadium since 2018 for club legend Arsene Wenger.
READ MORE: Bukayo Saka sends Eddie Nketiah ‘important’ message after Arsenal chance taken in West Ham win
But some supporters would have noticed that Stan Kroenke and his son Josh were both in attendance, with the game believed to be the first Stan had attended since the 3-1 pre-season win over Orlando in July. The pair had met with Arteta in America during the mid-season break ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.
Prior to the West Ham game, Arteta was quizzed on his meeting with the Arsenal owner. The Spaniard said: "We are always connected. I think that relationship is getting stronger and stronger. They’ve been over a few times and we’ve been there a few times.
"It’s a very special relationship right now to understand the way they think about sports, what they’ve done in other sports and with other franchises. The ambition is there and the alignment is certainly there as well. It’s certainly positive to spend some time together.
"It was the time that we had some spare time as well. It was very useful for everybody to do it in that period."
It's expected that the Kroenke pair will play a telling role in next month's window as the reliance of good recruitment could play an impactful role on a potential first Premier League title in 18 years.
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