Jarrod Bowen has hit another Premier League milestone in Claret and Blue, becoming just the second player in the competition's history to score 50 goals for the Club.
The West Ham United forward notched the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win against Arsenal, his fourth against the Gunners. It came on his 181st league appearance for the Hammers, and in typical Bowen fashion too, demonstrating his predatory instincts and ability to be in the right place at the right time to head home Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s pinpoint right-wing cross.
Victory against Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side meant it was back-to-back away triumphs in north London for the first time since 2005/06 and 2006/07, when we became the last team to beat the Gunners at Highbury and the first to do so at Emirates Stadium, and Bowen couldn’t hide his delight at being part of another piece of Hammers history.
“Everyone to a man, everyone involved that came off the bench [was outstanding], and it was just a whole collective effort," he beamed.
"That was one thing I said before in the huddle before kick-off, that we knew we could come here and win as we’ve done it before. They [Arsenal] are a top side, but we knew that if we came here and did a really good job, we'd come away with three points, and we've done that. I think you've seen that [commitment and desire] out there today.
“The players were out on their feet at the end, and that's what it takes to play in the Premier League, play for this Club, and pick up three points. Everyone would have probably written us off before the game, but not us in there.
“It's important we build on this now. We have a really important game on Thursday back at home, so we have to take what we've done today into that game. Of course, it'll be a different challenge, but it's still a tough challenge in the same way. I think today’s the benchmark. That's the standard. That's the level that we have to reach every single game.”
It’s been a half-decade since a fresh-faced 23-year-old Bowen arrived in east London from Hull City, and it has been full of personal and collective landmarks and moments that neither he, his family, his Club nor its supporters will ever forget.
“I never thought I was going to play in the Premier League, so to sit here and say that I've scored 50 goals is a real special moment,” Bowen reflected.
“I think if I missed that, I would have had nightmares about it. It was a little bit tense at the end, but I think they're even more special when you come away with a result as well.
“I always say to Mick [Michail Antonio] that I'm chasing his record, and we have a few jokes. He probably won't be happy that I'm getting a little bit closer, and now the next target is 100.
“It's always difficult when you get injured because it stops your momentum and stops everything, but I was working as hard as anyone trying to get back as quickly as possible, and I managed to do that.
“Obviously goals helped that, minutes helped that, and I think every game that comes is just trying to be me, trying to be the best version of me on the pitch, and add the goals with it.”
Bowen was also full of praise for teammate Ollie Scarles after the latter made his first Premier League start for the Hammers at Emirates Stadium.
The Academy of Football graduate had made seven substitute appearances in the competition this term in addition to the start he made in the FA Cup third round at Aston Villa, and put in yet another stellar performance at left-back that kept Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri quiet all afternoon.
“It was a brilliant performance from him today,” stated Bowen. "And the fans obviously appreciated him as well.
“He’s been brilliant since he's come in, and he's been getting consecutive minutes. Coming to the Emirates is never an easy place for anyone to start the game, but Ollie made it look like he's played 300 or 400 games for the Club.
"So it's full credit to him, full credit to the way he applies himself every single day and how he is in the group. I think we've got a really good group that supports each other and wants to work for each other. He was excellent again.”
