Oliver Scarles put in a man of the match display in his first Premier League start as West Ham defeated Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates this weekend. 

19-year-old Scarles has added to his tally of impressive starts with the Hammers, he also earned the man of the match awards against FCSB in the Conference League back in 2022 and Aston Villa in the FA Cup in Graham Potter’s first game in charge.

“I couldn’t ask for anything else from today really,” said Scarles at the full-time whistle in north London. “It was such a brilliant performance from start to end from the boys. We got the goal and defended so well to keep the clean sheet.

“It’s a tough place to come, they [Arsenal] are fighting for the Premier League title. They’re second in the table, and to come here and get all three points is amazing.”

Almost two years after his debut, Scarles has really started to knock on the door of the first-team this season. He made some short substitute appearances under Julen Lopetegui, but under Potter he has become a really important player.

The Bromley-born Hammer has appeared in all seven of Graham Potter’s matches in charge of the club so far and after an excellent performance against the Gunners he will most likely keep Emerson out of the side in that LWB role.

Scarles is the first player in over a year in the Premier League to register 6+ interceptions and 6+ tackles in one match which shows he dealt with Arsenal starboy Ethan Nwaneri brilliantly.

“To be fair, I actually found out I was starting in a meeting earlier on in the week,” Scarles said. “We worked on shape and stuff, so I knew fairly early.

“It was a shock to me, I guess, as I didn’t really expect it. Obviously, I’m grateful for all the minutes I’ve had so far, coming off the bench.

“But to get a start and then to put in a performance like that with the boys and get all three points, I couldn’t ask for any more.”