Can Arsenal finish in the top 4? Victory over West Ham shows the Gunners are playing for Mikel Arteta

What a difference a year makes.

When Arsenal lost to Everton nearly 12 months ago, they dropped to 15th in the Premier League table and just four points away from the relegation zone.

It’s been a pre-Christmas nightmare for Mikel Arteta, but things are looking very different this time around for the Gunners, who climbed to fourth after Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over West Ham.

All eyes were on Arteta as they lined up against the Hammers, with many predicting they could explode following the controversy surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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But they did the exact opposite, turning in what was arguably their most accomplished performance of the season as they did what it took to rise above David Moyes’ side and into the Champions League area. League.

“I’m really pleased,” Arteta said after the game. “With the attitude, commitment and quality that we have shown.

“There are really positive signs with the way the team has played. We’ve made some progress, but there’s still work to be done and we have to be aware of that.

“We had some bumps in the road, but we learned a lot from them and we stuck together, from the top of the club to every member of the team and staff. .

“The biggest compliment I feel – and the players feel the same way – is the way we have the crowd behind us, and it’s been a long time. To see that the chemistry between the team and the crowd is unique. and I’m very proud of that.”

With all that has happened in the past week, the reaction from the Arsenal players has been impressive.

They could have gone into shell after defeats to Manchester United and Everton, but instead, they dusted themselves off and picked up maximum points from games against Southampton and West Ham.

And they did so when playing against the backdrop of the Aubameyang situation.

It’s easy for the debacle of the striker’s captaincy to affect the pitch, but if it does, it has inspired them to two of their best performances of the season. .

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Questions have been appropriately asked about their top four title following defeats at Old Trafford and Goodison Park, and although they haven’t answered all of them in the last week, at least they have given. see them ready for battle.

Many wonder if Arteta’s tough stance towards Aubameyang following his latest disciplinary breach could lead to a split in the Arsenal camp.

But there is no sign of that as the Gunners largely overwhelm West Ham.

Alexandre Lacazette was handed the captain’s armband, when he met Southampton, and produced a tireless display in central striker position, while 20-year-old Gabriel Martinelli and 20-year-old Bukayo Saka sat beside him. .

Both young players are exceptional and it is no surprise that they are heavily involved in the goals.

Martinelli scored the first, a superb finish from Lacazette’s cross, while Saka scored for 21-year-old Emile Smith Rowe, scoring the second after a superb late breakthrough.

It was a display of intensity and energy for Arsenal and one that would kill any talk of potentially dividing the dressing room.

Aubameyang may be a favorite on the team, but Arteta clearly still has the full support of his players on this evidence.

“The players play for the club,” said the Spaniard.

“The senior players are led by example and I am really pleased. They seem to really enjoy helping [young] son in a difficult context. “

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Arsenal will now face Leeds on Saturday, December 18 in the Champions League. Whether they can stay there will largely depend on how they progress in places like Elland Road between now and the end of the season.

Arteta’s side have been excellent at home since the start of the season, picking up 22 points from nine Premier League games at the Emirates. No team has picked up more.

However, it’s been a different story on their trip, with five of their six league losses so far coming outside north London.

That is something that needs to change if the Gunners are to secure a spot in Europe’s top group for next season.

However, currently, Arsenal are ranked 4th quite well in the Premier League. And who could have predicted that last week – let alone last year.