London: Declan Rice came back to haunt former club West Ham as Arsenal moved top of the Premier League.

In Mikel Arteta's 300th match in charge, the Gunners proved far too strong for the struggling Hammers in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium to further their ambitions of a first Premier League title for 22 years.

Victory came at a cost for Arsenal as captain Martin Odegaard was forced off injured before half-time for the third time this season.

However, the strength in depth now on offer to Arteta has made light of Arsenal's injury troubles.

"We dominated and fully deserved to win this," said Arteta. "To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries... we were able to respond."

Rice, who left West Ham for a club record £105 million ($141 million) in 2023, ended the visitors' resistence by blasting high into the net on the rebound after Alphonse Areola parried Eberechi Eze's drive.

Bukayo Saka made the points safe midway through the second half from the penalty spot on his 200th Arsenal appearance after Jurrien Timber was brought down by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Arsenal edge one point ahead of Liverpool, who are in action later at Chelsea.

Defeat leaves West Ham still languishing in the relegation zone.

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