Arsenal building up momentum, says Mikel Arteta after 5-2 win over West Ham United

LONDON – Arsenal are building momentum again after their bad patch but must maintain their resurgent form, manager Mikel Arteta said after his side’s 5-2 demolition of West Ham United on Nov 30.

The victory lifted Arsenal back to second place in the English Premier League ahead of matches on Dec 1 and confirmed they have engaged top gear again after a run of four winless league games before November’s international break. They have scored 13 goals in their last three games in all competitions.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, skipper Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were on target in a frenetic seven-goal first half at the London Stadium as Arsenal moved to 25 points. They are six points behind Liverpool, who hosted troubled champions Manchester City on Dec 1. The result of that game was not available at press time.

The Hammers’ goals came via fullbacks Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri.

“Yeah, we’ve got some momentum,” said Arteta, whose side beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Nov 23 and followed up by thrashing Sporting Lisbon 5-1 away in the Champions League.

“I think we have some flow back, a real determination, winning consecutive matches against three opponents is great.

“We’re going to enjoy tonight and watch a beautiful game of football tomorrow. We are in a great moment right now. But in football, be on your toes and prepare the best way possible.”

The Gunners host Manchester United in the Premier League on Dec 4.

The return to fitness of Odegaard after a long layoff with an ankle injury has been a major boost for Arsenal, while Saka looked rejuvenated after sitting out the last England camp with a niggling injury.

As well as his penalty, Saka added two assists at the London Stadium, taking his tally for the season to 10 in 13 games. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, with six, has the next best total.

“Incredible,” Arteta said of Saka’s goal contributions. “Because it is the hardest thing to do in football, so a player who can believe in those moments can impact the scoreline in that way, you know, the value of that is tremendous.”

Saka was unplayable at times in the first half, especially with Arsenal toying with their London rivals.

“We are playing good football right now and we want to continue like this,” he said. “We are back to our best form. We look fluid and dynamic we are all enjoying it right now.”

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, who was forced to watch from the stands because of a touchline ban, is back under pressure after having appeared to turn the corner with his side’s win at Newcastle United on Nov 25.

West Ham are 14th in the table and have now lost four times at home in the league this season under the Spaniard, who replaced David Moyes in May. REUTERS