Arsenal’s Premier League title bid received a welcome boost as they blew past West Ham United at the London Stadium in a 6-0 victory, leaving the Hammers winless in seven competitive fixtures since defeating the Gunners in December (four draws, three losses).Still in high spirits after a potentially pivotal victory over title rivals Liverpool last week, Arsenal put West Ham to the sword in the first half here. The Gunners created plenty of early openings before breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when William Saliba nodded in Arsenal’s 11th league goal from a corner this season – a Premier League high.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Bukayo Saka was looking menacing, and after coming close on multiple occasions, the 22-year-old added his name to the scoresheet, netting from the spot after being tripped by Alphonse Areola to become the youngest Arsenal player to reach 50 goals for the club in over 45 years.Still reeling, West Ham were dealt another hammer blow when former captain Declan Rice recorded his second set-piece assist, this time teeing up Gabriel Magalhães for a simple close-range header. By first-half stoppage time, home fans were pouring out of the London Stadium as Leandro Trossard curled a stunning effort into the top-right corner to mark Arenal’s 8,000th league goal.
That nightmare 15-minute period left the hosts with an impossible task after the break, even with the knowledge that the last time Arsenal were 4-0 up at halftime was the iconic 4-4 draw with Newcastle United in 2011. Sadly, for the home support that remained, there was to be no fairytale comeback. Just after the hour mark, Saka bagged his second of the game with a simple low finish before Rice added to the humiliation with a fierce strike from distance three minutes later.”The train station in Stratford is going to be busy shortly” 😬 West Ham fans find a quick exit as their side goes 4 goals down against Arsenal in the first-half 😮 pic.twitter.com/OnZQfZziYr— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 11, 2024 Mikel Arteta brought on 16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri as the visitors coasted to an emphatic result – West Ham’s worst home league defeat since 1963. David Moyes’ side had only lost two home Premier League games this term (five wins, four draws), but a chastening defeat here ends a run of six league games without a loss (three wins, three draws). Meanwhile, the significant margin of victory does the Gunners’ goal difference a world of good, matching Manchester City’s +31 as they go level on points with the champions, just two behind league leaders Liverpool.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 24Saturday Manchester City – Everton 2-0 (0-0)/Haaland 71, 85/Luton – Sheffield United 1-3 (0-2)/Morris 52 pen – Archer 30, McAtee 36 pen, Souza 72/Liverpool – Burnley 3-1 (1-1)/Jota 31, Diaz 52, Nunez 79 – O’Shea 45/Fulham – Bournemouth 3-1 (2-0)/De Cordova-Reid 5, Muniz 36, 52 – Senesi 50/Wolverhampton – Brentford 0-2 (0-1)/Norgaard 35, Toney 77/Tottenham – Brighton 2-1 (0-1)/Sarr 61, Johnson 90+6 – Gross 16 pen/Nottingham Forest – Newcastle United 2-3 (2-2)/Elanga 26, Hudson-Odoi 45+6 – Guimaraes 10, 66, Schar 43/Sunday West Ham – Arsenal 0-6 (0-4)/Saliba 33, Saka 41 pen, 63, Gabriel 44, Trossard 45+2, Rice 66/19.30: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.60) Man.Utd. (3.40)Monday 23.00: (4.40) Crystal Palace (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)***odds are subject to change