11 February 2024 , 17:52
1049
0
You really have never seen anything like it.
It was Arsenal's biggest-ever away win in the Premier League, West Ham fans had left in their thousands by half time and surely even the celebration police would forgive the visitors enjoying this one.
Bukayo Saka got a brilliant double and exorcised some ghosts of last season, and Declan Rice then got the best goal of the lot and did not celebrate out of respect for his old club.
Rice need not have worried. By the time Rice got Arsenal's sixth goal, most of the West Ham fans had left anyway. They departed in their thousands even by half-time, leaving the stadium half-empty for much of the second half.
It was West Ham's joint biggest home defeat - the six-goal margin matching the 8-2 loss to Blackburn in December 1963 - and is the sort of humiliation which gets managers the sack.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
There should be no question of that with David Moyes but, at a time when the debate is raging about whether he will get a new contract, it will hurt him deeply because as good as Arsenal were, West Ham were woeful.
Incredibly, if Arsenal had got one more goal then it would have pushed them up to second place as their goal difference would have overhauled Manchester City.
But no one should doubt now that Arsenal are bang in the title race, pushing Liverpool and City all the way. Last week, Arsenal beat Liverpool and this week they backed it up with a stunning win to make everyone sit up and take notice.
They have not always been at those levels this season but this win felt like a return to the fun of last year when they were great to watch and one of the Premier League's big entertainers.
Arsenal battered West Ham (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)It was Arsenal's biggest away win since December 1935 when they beat Aston Villa 7-1 and their biggest in the Premier League era. Their fourth goal - scored by Leandro Trossard - was also their 8,000th League goal and Saka's first took him to 50 goals and, at 21, the youngest player to reach that milestone for the club.
It was a day for records and one which neither set of fans will forget for very different reasons. The amazing thing was that Arsenal did not even break the deadlock until 32 minutes.
Rice has been a deadly weapon on set pieces since he has been on corner duty and his deep cross found William Saliba with the Arsenal defender towering above the rest to head home.
Arsenal's second came after Trossard's ball over the top released Saka who raced away before being pulled down by keeper Alphonse Areola for a stonewall penalty.
Declan Rice scored on his return to the London StadiumLast season, Saka missed a penalty here when Arsenal blew a two-goal lead and it would have been easy to shy away as they share duties. But Saka showed great courage to step up and fire home.
Rice provided another superb set piece for Arsenal’s third goal. His free kick was delivered to the near post and Gabriel headed home. They are up to 16 goals from set pieces this season.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
The fourth came in first-half injury time as Martin Odegaard - who was sensational throughout - teed up Trossard who cut inside and then curled a lovely shot into the top corner.
That was the cue for a mass walkout from the home fans. Arsenal made changes through the second half but still got two more. Saka made it 5-0 after 63 minutes. Odegaard’s little lay-off put in Saka who cut inside the box and then smashed home inside Areola's near post.
Then Rice got the best of the lot. West Ham did not clear their lines and then Rice smashed a brilliant 25-yard cross shot into the top corner.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our