Report: West Ham 1- 5 Arsenal (inc. goals)

Arsenal: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis

Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Holding, Ramsey, Elneny, Iwobi, Lucas

Alexis Sanchez was the hero for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s men claimed all three points on their first ever visit to the London Stadium with a 5-1 win.

The Chilean started the afternoon by assisting Mesut Ozil and then grabbed himself a superb second half hat-trick as the Gunners delivered a dominant performance that takes them up to second in the table. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored to cap off a fine showing while Andy Carroll came off the bench to net a consolation for the Hammers.

First half

It’s no secret that West Ham have struggled at home since moving to the London Stadium and the Gunners, sensing nerves both on the pitch and in the terraces, looked eager to force their hosts onto the back foot from the off.

Three times inside the opening 12 minutes Nacho Monreal stole behind the right side of the West Ham defence but each time he failed to pick out a player in yellow. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, finding similar space, was similarly profligate in possession despite the Hammers defence being in total disarray after an early switch in formation following the exit of James Collins due to injury on four minutes.

The first clear chance of the game fell to Shkodran Mustafi whose header from a corner bounced just wide. West Ham responded soon after, Dimitri Payet feeding Lanzini who forced Petr Cech into a save at his near post.

The Gunners early superiority paid off on 23 minutes. Coquelin blocked a pass out of defence by Gabriel Ogbonna, Alexis pounced on the free ball to race into the box and with the goal gaping he unselfishly picked out Ozil who tapped into an open net. (1-0)

Chamberlain’s pace continued to cause the home side all manner of problems. Through on goal on 28 minutes he tried an Henry curler, but somehow managed to bend the ball in exactly the opposite direction so that it went out for a throw.

Alexis could have doubled the lead when he charged from the halfway line but he overcooked hi second touch, was forced wide by Randolph and ended up giving away a free-kick. It was easy to forgive the Chilean, he was all vim and vigour throughout the opening period.

Just before half-time Gabriel did well to force Pedro Obiang to head over from a cross to the back post. The Brazilian paid a heavy price in the process, falling heavily on his right leg. He required treatment but thankfully, given the Gunners’ problems at right-back, was able to continue.

Second half

Arsenal started where they left off after the break, pressing high and missing chances. Chamberlain, who’d switched to the right flank, won a free-kick, and Walcott headed Ozil’s delivery over the bar. The England international squandered a second opportunity minutes later following clever footwork by Chamberlain and a neat ball by Alexis.

It wasn’t all Arsenal though, twice in quick succession the home side forged chances to rouse the home side; first Laurent Koscielny cleared Manuel Lanzini’s cross then Ashley Fletcher fired wide from outside the box.

On 65 minutes Aaron Ramsey was sent on for Theo Walcott, whose last action was a blocked shot, with the Welshman taking up a position on the right. Ramsey was straight into the thick of the action, forcing Randolph into a save from close range after Monreal’s cutback, Ozil’s acrobatic effort from the rebound was also blocked.

The Gunners finally doubled their lead on 71 minutes and it was all about the individual brilliance of Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international, ten yards outside the West Ham box, controlled a pass by from Mustafi, spun on a sixpence, beat marker Musuaka, drove goalwards and fired a low shot across Randolph into the far corner. It was a blooming lovely strike. (2-0)

In the mood, Alexis helped himself to a second on 79 minutes. After Xhaka and Ozil faffed around outside the box trying to create something intricate, the ball fell to our in-form striker who took the ball early to arrow in from outside the box. (3-0)

West Ham grabbed a goal back within three minute. Dimitri Payet hit the bar with a free-kick and Andy Carroll, on as a sub, headed in from five yards out. (3-1)

The comeback was nipped in the bud quickly. No sooner had the kick-off been taken, Chamberlain, who’d really imposed himself on the game, curled in a fine effort with his right foot. (4-1)

Four became five as Chamberlain turned provider for Alexis who raced through to complete his hat-trick with an awesome dinked finish after an eye-catching step-over. (5-1)

All in all, a terrific performance from Arsenal and a fine way to start December after a somewhat disjointed November. Let’s hope we can keep it going.