Dennis Bergkamp in his pomp proved far too much for West Ham United at Highbury last night. After the Dutchman had given Arsenal an early lead with his eighth goal of the season - his first at home - West Ham conceded three more before half-time.

The win takes Arsenal to the top of the table, but their credentials will be tested in November and early December when they meet Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle in quick succession.

Arsenal needed just a dozen minutes to take the lead. A long precise ball from Emmanuel Petit deep in his own half found Bergkamp striding past Ian Pearce, and although the centreback almost caught him up, the Dutchman still managed to roll the ball into the far corner of the net.

Arsenal's defence, which had Gilles Grimandi replacing an injured Lee Dixon on the quarter-hour, then caught the general mood of relaxation and nearly gave the opposition a couple of goals.

Bergkamp, however, was intent on putting on a show. and the contest was over by half-time, Arsenal having scored three more goals in six minutes. In the 39th minute, Bergkamp collected a slack header from Tim Breacker and sent Overmars scampering away on the left. The winger then cut across before turning sharply to drive the ball inside the near post.

Four minutes later, Wright found the net with a penalty after Pearce had handled. On the stroke of half-time, Patrik Vieira, Ian Wright and Bergkamp combined to send in Overmars for his second, this one slipped under Miklosko's body.

Arsenal lost Winterburn, hurt in a tackle with Hartson, for the second half, but it made little difference. The reign of Bergkamp remained undisturbed.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon (Grimandi 15), Winterburn (Platt 45), Vieira, Bould, Adams, Wright (Anelka 65), Bergkamp, Overmars, Parlour, Petit. Subs Not Used: Manninger, Boa Morte. Goals: Bergkamp 12, Overmars 39, 45, Wright 42 pen.

West Ham: Miklosko, Breacker, Unsworth, Bishop, Hartson, Lomas, Dowie, Ferdinand (Potts 81), Lazaridis, Lampard, Pearce. Subs Not Used: Rowland, Forrest, Hodges, Coyne. Booked: Dowie, Lampard, Lomas, Unsworth. Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill).