AG's Football Reports

Arsenal kept pace with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after they recorded their biggest-ever Premier League away win by thrashing a poor West Ham side at the London Stadium.

It was game over at half-time as goals from William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard had Arsenal 4-0 up at the interval. Saka added his second after half-time before former Hammers captain Declan Rice completed the route with a fine finish from outside the box.

The win leaves Arsenal 3rd in the table, level on points with Manchester City and two points behind Liverpool.

As for West Ham, they missed the chance to climb back into the top six and remain winless in 2024. They have now conceded nine goals in their last two games.

The Hammers had already beaten Aresenal twice this season, once in the EFL Cup, the other was the earlier Premier League meeting in December which saw a 2-0 win for David Moyes’ men.

However, this was a very different story, and Arsenal went close in the 11th minute, Saka with his first sight at goal, a 25-yard strike which deflected wide for a corner.

West Ham’s first effort of the day saw good combination play between Ben Johnson and Jarrod Bowen. Johnson’s drilled cross was cleared away for a corner, which the Arsenal defence dealt with comfortably.

Trossard, starting up front, was next to have a go, Saka’s looping shot coming towards the former Brighton man, but his header was off target as Arsenal began to dominate proceedings.

Some brilliant goalkeeping from Alphonse Areola then denied the Gunners. A powerful volley from Trossard met Gabriel Martinelli’s cross, but the keeper denied him with a superb reaction stop.

Arsenal finally broke the resistance in the 32nd minute. Rice’s corner was met by the head of Saliba, who powered home.

Six minutes later, Arsenal had a great opportunity to double their lead. Areola fouled Saka, who Trossard’s perfectly lofted pass had played in, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. A VAR check confirmed Saka was onside, and the decision stood. Up stepped the England international, who missed from 12 yards on the same ground last season but made no mistake this time.

Three minutes later, it was 3-0. Another set-piece. Another Rice delivery, this time Gabriel got his head to it.

Mikel Arteta’s side added a fourth before the break, Trossard firing a shot towards goal. Areola got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.

Kai Havertz tried his luck five minutes into the second half, but his effort was wide.

Saka got his second in the 63rd minute, he cut inside and tricked Areola by finding the bottom right corner to set Arsenal away for the second period.

Rice added the sixth with a stunning strike from outside the box.

The visitors went close on other occasions but settled for six goals without reply.

Image: Arsenal FC