Arsenal news: Bukayo Saka reveals private Thierry Henry message as star sets unwanted record

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice got the goals as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal beat West Ham United at home to go into the international break on top of the Premier League table

Arsenal got the better of West Ham on Saturday, making up for home defeats against the same opposition in the last two seasons. They ended the day on top of the Premier League table thanks to Liverpool’s late defeat away to Chelsea, and will now spend a fortnight at the summit as another international break begins.

When Mikel Arteta and his players return to action, it will be in another London derby on October 18. The Gunners’ next league game is away at Fulham, offering a reunion with former stars including Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka got the goals on Saturday. Rice got the ball rolling against his former club, while Saka converted from the penalty spot after Jurrien Timber was felled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

It wasn’t all good news for Arsenal, though. Martin Odegaard picked up an injury in the first half, and Arteta will hope his captain isn’t missing for too long after already having to deal with the absence of Kai Havertz for much of the season.

We’ve got updates on a few of Arsenal’s big name stars after the London side moved top of the pile. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.

READ MORE: Bukayo Saka makes Arsenal pledge as Viktor Gyokeres dressing room verdict issuedREAD MORE: Declan Rice’s five-word message after Arsenal injury concern against West Ham

Odegaard’s unwanted record

Martin Odegaard was forced into another early exit on Saturday, and set an unwanted record in the process. The Norwegian is now the first player in Premier League history to be substituted in the first half of three successive games.

Arsenal’s skipper lasted about 20 minutes in the matches against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest amid shoulder problems. He sat out the draw with Manchester City before making a late cameo from the bench against Newcastle, and started against West Ham after coming through the Champions League game against Olympiacos unscathed.

A different issue arose against West Ham, with a clash of knees leaving Odegaard unable to continue. “I think he had a clash knee-to-knee and immediately he was uncomfortable,” Mikel Arteta said on Saturday. “I just spoke to him, he’s not positive about it. He’s got a brace on, we’ll have to wait and see from the doctors. But we haven’t been very lucky with that either.”

Saka reveals Henry message

Bukayo Saka was able to deliver after a private message from Thierry Henry before the win against West Ham. Arsenal lost at home to the Hammers when David Moyes and Graham Potter were in charge, but new boss Nuno was unable to emulate his predecessors.

“Thierry messaged me this morning to remind we lost the last two games to West Ham at home. He is always pushing me. I am really happy to have my name with his records,” Saka said.

“[Saturday’s win] showed the progress we have made. The last two seasons we slipped up at home against West Ham and we wanted to put that right today. We know the quality we have at the top end of the pitch and we know if we keep a clean sheet it is more than likely we will win the game.”

Trossard’s take on competition

Leandro Trossard welcomes the extra competition at Arsenal, believing it has helped him up his game. The Belgian had been linked with a summer exit after the arrival of Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze, but has continued to contribute when given the chance.

“I would say it’s a nice reward. I would say if you give something to the team, to the manager, you get the reward after that as well,” Trossard told Sky Sports before Saturday’s home win. “That’s confidence you have to take with on the pitch. I think I’m in a good spot at the moment, and I hope I can give a lot more to the team.”

On the competition for places, he added: “Obviously if you know there’s a lot of quality waiting on the sideline to come in and show themselves as well, it pushes you to certain limits as well, I would say. But, I would say we have a really good group and understanding, as well. Everyone one can play, everyone has the quality to play.”

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