Arsenal kept up with Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title race after thrashing London rivals West Ham United 6-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Premier League
Result: West Ham United 0-6 Arsenal
Date: 11 February 2024
Venue: London Stadium
The Gunners made only two changes following their win over Liverpool, as Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard, who joined Saka and Gabriel Martinelli upfront were recalled.
Mikel Arteta's charges were all over West Ham in the opening exchanges and William Saliba eventually broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark with a powerful header from a corner by Declan Rice.
Arsenal quickly doubled their lead just before the interval as Saka converted a penalty after he was brought down in the box by shot-stopper Alphonse Areola.
The visitors were too good for West Ham as Gabriel made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time with a bullet header from a set-piece.
There was still time for the Gunners to run riot before the break as Trossard made it 4-0 with a strike towards the top corner from a solo effort.
Arsenal continued to pressurize the Hammers from the interval and just after the hour-mark, Saka made it 5-0 and completed his brace with a first-time finish from a pass by Martin Odegaard.
Rice rubbed salt into injury against his former side as he made it 6-0 soon thereafter with a stunning volley from range.
Arteta rested Rice, Saka and Trossard after that as they were replaced by Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal lost their rhythm in the closing stages, as West Ham had more of the ball but they could not get a consolation goal, as the Gunners reduced the gap behind leaders Liverpool to just two points in third spot on the table.
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