Smith Rowe and Martinelli save the day as captain Lacazette misses penalty

The Gunners came away with their heads held high after a confident win in an intriguing London derby where both sides were planning to stake their claim for a spot in the Champions League.

The first 45 minutes produced a cagey affair high on quality and astute defending, with David Moyes' back up centre backs Craig Dawson and Issa Diop putting in an impressive shift.

Their fortitude didn't last long in the second half though, with default captain Alexandre Lacazette following up a fine opening half with a neat assist to Martinelli.

The Brazilian slotted the ball in giving Lukasz Fabianski no chance, and soon after Lacazette had the chance to make the armband his own.

Vladimir Coufal took down the striker with a crucial last ditch challenge in the West Ham penalty area, but replays showed he got the ball, with justice served for West Ham as Lacazette placed the spot kick right into Fabianski's hands.

Smith Rowe had just been called upon to inject some energy into the game before the incident, and did so brilliantly with three minutes left, seeing a fine run finished with an brilliant goal.

In one of the biggest league wins of Arteta's Arsenal reign, his side put in an impressive shift to down a Hammers team who are notoriously hard to beat.

The game also saw the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang captaincy row put firmly to one side, as fellow forwards Martinelli and Lacazette shone, but latter put in a mixed display with the armband.

Taking Aubamyang's role in the team, Lacazette produced some of his best play in an Arsenal shirt outside of the box, lining up Martinelli's opener in style.

However, a 69th minute penalty incident distracted from a cultured showing, with talkSPORT commentator Dean Ashton far from happy with the Frenchman's role.

"It's a great challenge, there's absolutely no way that is a penalty or a sending off," Ashton said.

But when Lacazette returned to his feet the former West Ham forward was less than impressed.

"It's funny how one minute he's writhing on the floor in agony and the next minute he's up and ready to take the penalty," Ashton remarked.

Lacazette's miss ultimately rendered the debate null and void, but it still did little to distract from a fine display from Arteta's men, who picked up a ninth clean sheet in 16 games.