While Mikel Arteta was delighted with Arsenal’s third win in a row to move back up to second place in the Premier League, his Basque compatriot Julen Lopetegui was annoyed at the Gunners’ unfair use of corner kicks in West Ham’s 5-2 derby defeat had used.

The damage was done to the Hammers in the first half, which saw a Premier League record seven goals scored, and Lopetegui, whose future was uncertain after such a heavy defeat, felt at least two of Arsenal’s goals should be disallowed. “I think we deserved two goals in the first half, but they didn’t deserve five,” he said.

The corner that gave Arsenal the lead through Gabriel in the 10th minute particularly annoyed Lopetegui. “There is a player who pushed (Lucas) Paquetá in the back with the sole intention of preventing him from jumping.” The Brazilian was thwarted at the front post by Jurriën Timber. “The rules must be the same for all of us.”

Lopetegui said his team had been prepared for the routine developed by Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s celebrated set-piece specialist. “The first was a set piece that we had prepared and in my opinion it was a very, very clear foul. We were unlucky with the decisions today. We asked the referee about the suspension before the game, as coaches we have to know the limit.”

Arsenal’s fifth goal, which halted a two-goal run by West Ham, was a penalty scored by Bukayo Saka, which was awarded after Lukasz Fabianski caught Gabriel in the face attempting a punch. “I think that ruined the game,” Lopetegui said. “You compare the contact on the first goal in the block with Paquetá… But that’s not a single excuse because we have and can certainly do better.”

In contrast, Arteta celebrated. “It was a spectacular 30 minutes straight away, how much the team wanted it, the determination, the determination and the quality we showed to score three goals,” he said. “(They were) great goals in different ways and then we score the fourth in a great way too.”

There was also praise for Bukayo Saka’s contribution: “He scored goals very consistently, gave assists and was always there for us, really good.”

The victory rounded off a successful week for the resurgent Arsenal FC. “Winning three games in a row against three opponents is great,” Arteta said, before referring to Sunday’s showdown between title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. “We had to do our job and we did it really convincingly today. And yes, we will enjoy tonight and watch a wonderful football game tomorrow.”