Bukayo Saka starred as a rampant Arsenal moved into second spot in the Premier League table with a thumping 5-2 victory over a woeful West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Gunners, who won 6-0 in this fixture last season, were utterly dominant from the kick off once again and roared into a four-goal lead inside 36 minutes courtesy of strikes from Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard (penalty) and Kai Havertz.
West Ham looked beleaguered but somehow halved the deficit with two goals in two minutes.
First, Aaron Wan-Bissaka fired a low strike home at the near post and then Emerson whipped a sublime free kick in off the crossbar.
The Hammers supporters suddenly ignited in hope of an unlikely comeback, but they were dealt a dose of reality in first-half stoppage time when the excellent Saka converted Arsenal’s second penalty of the evening.
Arsenal managed the game following the restart in a low-key second half that was in stark contrast to the excitement of the first 45.
The result moves the second-placed Gunners to within six points of leaders Liverpool, who face champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Next up, West Ham, who stay 14th, visit Leicester City on Tuesday night. Arsenal host Manchester United on Wednesday.
BBC