Martin Ødegaard's injury casts shadow over Arsenal's West Ham win

The Gunners eased to a 2-0 win, but one thing soured the victory.

Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win over West Ham at the Emirates Stadium with Mikel Arteta's team now top of the Premier League heading into the international break.

A first-half goal from Declan Rice sent the Gunners on their way, before a second-half Bukayo Saka penalty doubled the host's advantage.

In total, 21 shots to four and 68 percent possession to 32 shows the Gunners' dominance with Arteta's team easily accounting for a disappointing Hammers side.

With the Gunners now top of the league, one could be forgiven for thinking that Arsenal would be in a great mood, but one thing happened that soured the win.

Gunners again hit with injury bug

Martin Ødegaard just can't get out of the wars, with the skipper first dealing with a shoulder injury early in the season, only to then get back and play some top-quality football, but after just half an hour against West Ham, a clash of knees saw the Norwegian have to be replaced.

Was it precautionary? Or was there something more sinister at play?

Speaking post-game on the captain's injury, Arteta didn't seem to positive.

"I think he had a clash knee-to-knee and immediately he was uncomfortable," Arteta said via arsenal.com. "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."

A brace? Yeah, that doesn't sound good at all, and now it feels like there is a real chance that the Gunners will be without their midfield maestro for a little while.

Of course, there is hope there is nothing serious going on, but needing a brace on his knee surely isn't a good sign.

Yeah, the Gunners cruised and are top of the table, but Ødegaard's injury took a little of the shine off what was an otherwise perfect day in north London.