Arsenal kept the pressure on league leaders Liverpool after thrashing West Ham 6-0.
Mikel Arteta’s men went into the break with a 4-0 lead with goals from William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard.
Saka then scored again in the 53rd minute before Declan Rice tormented his former club with a long-range shot two minutes later.
Victory at the London Stadium ensures that Arsenal remain within striking distance of Liverpool and Manchester City, who won their respective matches on Saturday.
Mail Sport’s Kathryn Batte gives her verdict on the players in her match ratings.
Arsenal kept the pressure on league leaders Liverpool after beating West Ham 6-0
Another goal to forget for David Moyes’ team at the London Stadium on Sunday
West Ham (4-2-3-1)
Alphonse Areola – 4 (RESERVED)
He made it difficult for his team when he conceded a penalty and was caught on his heels for the third goal. Some decent saves kept the score down.
Vladimir Coufal – 4
He kept Saka in play for the penalty decision and rarely made progress.
Kurt Zouma – 3
A day to forget for the West Ham captain. His attempts to defend the fourth goal were enough to convince his coach that the game was over at halftime.
Nayef Aguerd – 3
Trossard had a torrid afternoon and was exposed by Saka’s pace and skill on multiple occasions.
Trossard gave Aguerd a torrid afternoon and was exposed by Saka’s pace and skill.
Emerson – 5
He made progress in the early stages, but was unable to prevent Saka from intervening and terrorizing his teammates.
Edson Álvarez – 3 (RESERVED)
He found himself chasing shadows and was second behind the ball on too many occasions. Hooked on the break.
Tomas Soucek – 4.5
Arsenal’s midfield trio thwarted him and failed to make a tackle. He rarely moved forward.
Ben Johnson – 5
He looked lively at first in an unfamiliar position, but failed to make a significant contribution.
Alvarez found himself chasing shadows and was second behind the ball on too many occasions.
James Ward-Prowse – 5
Anonymous for much of the game and struggled to make an impact going forward.
Mohammed Kudus – 6 (RESERVED)
He tried to make things happen when he had the ball, but often had no passing options.
Jarrod Bowen – 6
He worked hard in the lone striker role, but fed off scraps while it lasted.
Substitutes:
Kalvin Phillips (for Álvarez 45) – 5 (RESERVED)
Konstantinos Mavropanos (by Zouma 45) – 5
Aaron Cresswell (by Emerson 76) – 5
Kudus tried to make things happen when he had the ball, but often had no passing options.
Arsenal (4-3-3):
David Raya – 6
He had nothing to do for much of the afternoon, but he was alert when needed.
Ben White – 7
West Ham’s wingers haven’t really tried it. He provided an assist for the sixth goal.
William Saliba – 7
He put his team ahead with a point-blank header. He had little to do on defense.
Gabriel – 7
He followed in the footsteps of his central teammate with a headed goal before the break.
William Saliba opened the scoring and his defensive partner got into action with a goal as well.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
He made a vital interception when West Ham were leading in the early stages. The only real piece of defense he needed.
Martin Odegaard – 8.5
He ran the midfield with some sublime passes. He finished the game with two assists.
Declan Rice – 9
Booed by his former fans, but had the last laugh with two assists and a sensational goal to make it 6-0. A standout performance on his return to East London.
Rice was booed by his former fans, but had the last laugh with two assists and a sensational hit.
Kai Havertz – 7.5
He connected well with his midfield teammates and was clean and orderly in possession.
Bukayo Saka – 8.5
He ran around the Hammers defence. He kept his cool to convert from the spot before getting a good finish for his second.
Leandro Trossard – 8.5
He was involved in Arsenal’s best plays and capped off a fantastic performance with a magnificent goal.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
It wasn’t the flashy display of his strike partners, but he still caused problems and linked up well with Trossard.
Saka kept his cool to convert from the spot before making a good finish for his second.
SUBS:
Reiss Nelson (by Saka 67) – 6
Eddie Nketiah (for Trossard 67) – 6
Mohamed Elneny (for Rice 67) – 6
Cedric Soares (by Blanco 77) – 6
Ethan Nwaneri (by Martinelli 77) – 6
Referee: Paul Tierney – 7
I got the penalty decision and the other important decisions right. Good afternoon to the official.
David Moyes will have been furious with his players while it was a perfect day for Mikel Arteta
Managers:
David Moyes – 5
He must have been furious with the defense of some of his players. The boos at half-time and at the end showed what the fans were thinking.
Mikel Arteta – 8
A perfect day for the Arsenal coach, who got his tactics and game plan right.