Jarrod Bowen vowed that he is back to his best after scoring a stunning equaliser in West Ham United's come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
The Hammers looked all at sea after the Gunners burst into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes at London Stadium, but led by the likes of Bowen, Declan Rice and Vladimír Coufal, the Irons worked their way back into the game.
Paquetá won a penalty, which Saïd Benrahma converted on 33 minutes, before Bukayo Saka missed his own spot-kick shortly after half-time. Within two minutes, Bowen had volleyed Thilo Kehrer's pass past Aaron Ramsdale and West Ham were level.
For Bowen, it was the latest confirmation that the disappointment of missing the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals is behind him, and that his form and confidence have returned.
The No20 confirmed as much when he talked to West Ham TV after the game.
"Since after the World Cup, I feel I've been back to my best," he said. "People might say it's not my best because I'm not scoring goals, but my general play and assists have been there and I've always said goals will come, as long as I'm doing my bit for the team, whether that be sprinting and not letting the ball go in or slide tackling someone to block a shot, assisting or scoring, I'll always do what I can for the team.
"I think there has been a proper weight lifted off my shoulders. I've spoken about it before that I wasn't happy with my performances before the World Cup when there was a lot riding on them, and now I feel free again.
"It's about how I deal with those situations differently and I feel good since we've been back and today, to get the goal, I was over the moon."
Talking about handling situations, Bowen handled the situation of volleying in Kehrer's lofted ball into the box with aplomb, resulting in one of his finest moments in a West Ham shirt.
"It was nice!" he confirmed. "I think I'm always trying to make the runs to get in the box and nine times out of ten it might not come for you, but that one time it might if you keep making the runs.
"I knew that was the only place Thilo could put it and I knew I was onside because they were running out and I was looking across at the far defender. Then you're waiting for it to come down and to get a good connection it, so seeing it hit the 'keeper and the post and go in, the roar was special.
"I booted the advertising board and I could have done it ten times harder. The feeling that came over me when we got back into the game and the joy of scoring that goal was top."
