An Alexis Sanchez inspired Arsenal side piled more misery on struggling West Ham United; the Chilean scoring a devastating hat-trick and setting up another to send Arsenal second, and West Ham precariously close to dropping into the mire of the bottom three.
Goals from Mesut Ozil, Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain helped the Gunners to a 1-5 win, with substitute Andy Carroll providing a false glimmer of hope for Slaven Bilic's lethargic side.
Petr Cech - 6
In truth, the experienced Czech had little to do, and will be peeved at not being able to keep a clean sheet. However, he stood little chance at stopping Carroll's consolation header, beaten all ends up by a superb Dimitri Payet free-kick that clattered off the bar and fell kindly to the Englishman.
Gabriel - 6
A tough week for Gabriel ends on a relative high note. Sorrowed by the tragic events of the Colombian plane crash that cost the lives of 71 people, including 20 members of the Brazilian club Chapecoense; the Brazilian found himself on the receiving end of some tough West Ham challenges. Filling in at right-back, Arsenal's crisis position for the time being, the 26-year-old looked calm and assured on the ball and in defence.
Shkodran Mustafi - 7
Once again like Cech, the impressive German had a quiet evening, with Ashley Fletcher far too isolated as the lone striker to cause Mustafi headaches. He'll be disappointed at picking up an unnecessary booking and losing his clean sheet, but alongside Laurent Koscielny, he looked solid and provided a passing threat from deep.
Laurent Koscielny - 7
Another pleasing performance from the Frenchman, a vital cog in the Gunners' machine. Apart from the goal, the only real blot on his copybook this evening was a harsh booking for an odd challenge on Fletcher on the halfway line.
Nacho Monreal - 7
Busy on the left hand-side, Monreal turned his recent form around in an impressive way. Many of Arsenal's early attacks came from the left, but his final ball let him down, with several teasing low crosses evading yellow shirts.
Granit Xhaka - 7
Filling in the much-missed Santi Cazorla's role, Xhaka looked in control in the heart of the midfield, his attacking threat needed more than his defensive ability. Went about his work, spreading the play well and showing that he's more than capable of being the man who turns defence to attack, a la the little Spaniard.
Francis Coquelin - 7
Bustling about in the centre, Coquelin made several crucial interceptions when West Ham started to raise the tempo in the second half. No rash challenges or wayward passes is pleasing to see. His intervention on Angelo Ogbonna's pass helped set up the first goal.
Theo Walcott - 6
A frustrating evening for Walcott, who just needs one more goal before Christmas to get the coffee machine he desires.
He had his chances, most notably a free header from an Ozil free-kick, but that was just over the bar. He made some clever runs, but had nothing to show for it. A blip in a fine start to the season, that's helped him hold his place in the England setup.
Mesut Ozil - 8
The opening goal and an assist on a exemplary evening for the languid German. Easy to watch, he teased West Ham, linking up well with Sanchez - it was that combination that heralded the opening goal on 24 minutes after Ogbonna's careless mistake.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7
A fantastic goal helped make a fluctuating performance become worthwhile. Struggling with his final ball - although he's not the only culprit of that - he drifted in and out of proceedings. But, his 25 yard effort with six minutes to go was inch perfect.
Alexis Sanchez - 9
Simply stunning. Unplayable, the West Ham defence had no answer to his direct running and devastating finishing. Dropping deep to pick the ball up, he was a constant menace, quick feet and quick movement of the ball. He nipped past Winston Reid before unselfishly laying the ball on a silver platter for Ozil to give the Gunners the lead.
Three fine finishes followed in the last twenty minutes. The first saw a trademark turn away from Arthur Masuaku, before a short burst of pace and a powerful finish past Darren Randolph. Nine minutes later, a precise first-time volley caught Randolph unawares from the edge of the box. His third carried slight suspicions of offside, but don't let that distract from the cheekiest of finishes, feinting to shoot before lofting the ball over Randolph with finesse.
Substitutes:
Aaron Ramsey - 6
(Replacement for Walcott, 66)
An efficient cameo performance from the Welshman, but there are doubts over his true fitness. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the dying seconds, after Sanchez' through pass was a tad overhit.
Mohamed Elneny - n/a
(Replacement for Coquelin, 87)
Alex Iwobi - n/a
(Replacement for Ozil, 88)
Manager:
Arsene Wenger - 8
Compared to the wounded Bilic, there was a Chesire Cat like grin on Wenger's face for the majority of the 90 minutes. He'll be hard pushed to find negatives from a fine performance. Team selection was well thought out and the mentality was superb.
