Leandro Trossard made it 4-0 with a magnificent curling effort just before half-time.
In a remarkable display of dominance, Arsenal secured their biggest Premier League away win, demolishing West Ham with a resounding 6-0 victory and closing the gap on league leaders Liverpool. This devastating defeat marks West Ham's heaviest home Premier League loss and their joint-heaviest defeat of all time. The Gunners wasted no time in racing to a 4-0 lead in an extraordinary first half, leaving the home side shell-shocked. Arsenal's performance was a testament to their title credentials, solidifying their position as fierce contenders in the league.
An Unforgettable Performance
After their exhilarating triumph over Liverpool the previous weekend, Arsenal showcased yet another statement performance that highlighted their prowess and determination. This exceptional away victory matches their joint highest margin of victory in a league match on the road, a feat they had not achieved since their impressive 7-1 win over Aston Villa in December 1935. Furthermore, it is their first 6-0 triumph in the Premier League, the previous record being their 6-1 victories against Middlesbrough in 1999 and Everton in 2009.
The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when William Saliba rose above the defense to head home from close range following a corner from Declan Rice. Up until that point, West Ham had showcased defensive discipline, but once Arsenal found their rhythm, the home side utterly lost their shape. Bukayo Saka was fouled in the penalty area by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, resulting in a spot-kick that Saka confidently converted for his 50th Arsenal goal. Gabriel then extended Arsenal's lead to 3-0 with a close-range header from Rice's free-kick. Leandro Trossard added to the onslaught by scoring a magnificent curling effort just before halftime.
The pace of the game slowed down in the second half, yet Arsenal's dominance remained undisputed. Saka, displaying his exceptional talent, collected Martin Odegaard's pass inside the box and rifled the ball into the near post. In a bittersweet moment, Rice, who was playing against his former club, delivered a thunderous long-range strike to make it 6-0, but chose not to celebrate out of respect.
West Ham's Struggle Continues
The sight of West Ham fans streaming out of the London Stadium before halftime is undoubtedly a concerning image for manager David Moyes. The Hammers had aimed to secure a rare feat of defeating Arsenal three times in the same season, following their victory in the EFL Cup and the subsequent league encounter. However, their fortunes have taken a downward turn since that memorable night in December, and they find themselves winless in their first seven games of the calendar year for the first time since 1997.
The game was marred by a disastrous 15-minute spell for West Ham before halftime, in which their previously solid defense crumbled. The halftime break failed to inspire any form of response from the team. As David Moyes' contract is set to expire at the end of the season, this lackluster performance and defeat only add to the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Scottish manager will undoubtedly hope that their upcoming fixtures against bottom-seven sides offer an opportunity to revive their floundering season.
With this resounding victory, Arsenal has made a statement in the league, closing the gap on the leaders and reaffirming their title credentials. West Ham, on the other hand, must regroup and find a way to reverse their slump if they are to salvage their season.
