Arsene Wenger, a club legend, “selected the best moment” to return to Emirates Stadium, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, as he witnessed them demonstrate their title credentials.
After the World Cup, the Premier League resumed, and Arteta’s young club rallied to defeat West Ham and extend their lead atop the standings by seven points.
Wenger, who last led Arsenal to a championship, made his first appearance following his resignation in 2018.
“His presence is something that has to be very, very attached to this football club so thanks [to him] for doing that because it means a lot for everybody at the club,” said Arteta.
“Hopefully he is willing to spend more time with us and be around us because he is such an influence.”
When it was determined that William Saliba had clipped Jarrod Bowen in the box, West Ham unexpectedly gained the lead. Said Benrahma confidently slammed the resulting penalty down the centre.
Until Bukayo Saka scored from close range after collecting Martin Odegaard’s miss-hit shot, the home crowd was in a frustrated mood.
The Gunners gained more momentum after the equalizer, and a second home goal appeared more likely.
It duly came in five minutes. The hosts took the lead when Gabriel Martinelli beat West Ham’s former Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski by slipping a tight-angle shot inside the near post when it appeared that he would cross instead.
Eddie Nketiah, who started in place of the injured Gabriel Jesus, turned swiftly in the box before shooting into the opposing bottom corner to clinch the victory.
Newcastle moved up to second place by defeating Leicester earlier on Monday, moving ahead of Arsenal in the standings.
Manchester City, the defending champions, are currently eight points behind the Gunners and go to Leeds United on Wednesday.
After suffering their fourth straight league loss, West Ham is now in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone.
