West Ham vs Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Imperious Declan Rice gets over boos to score once and assist twice in 6-0 win
ARSENAL had their way with West Ham at the London Stadium as Declan Rice enjoyed a scintillating return to his former club.
The Gunners' record signing was BOOED by home fans but certainly had the last laugh as he provided two assists and scored one of his own during a 6-0 rout of the Hammers.
Three of those goals came in a devestating five-minute spell just before half-time as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard made it 4-0 at the break after William Saliba's opener.
Those goals prompted a huge number of West Ham fans heading for the exit and it didn't get much better from there.
Saka scored again before Rice rounded off the scoring with a lovely curling long-range effort to make it six.
- Match result: West Ham 0-6 Arsenal.
- West Ham XI: Areola, Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson, Johnson, Álvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Bowen.
- Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
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Arsenal starting XI:
Mikel Arteta makes two changes with both Zinchenko and Jorginho not fit to play in the game.
22. Raya, 4.. White, 2. Saliba, 6. Gabriel, 15. Kiwior, 8. Odegaard, 41. Rice, 29. Havertz, 7. Saka, 19. Trossard, 11. Martinelli
Credit: @Arsenal West Ham subs:
1. Fabianski, 3. Cresswell, 11. Phillips, 15. Mavropanos, 17. Cornet, 18. Ings, 21. Ogbonna, 45. Mubama, 57. Scarles
West Ham starting XI:
Alphone Areola is fit enough to start for David Moyes' side and will be seen as a big positive coming into this game.
23. Areola, 5. Coufal, 4. Zouma, 27. Aguerd, 33. Emerson, 19. Alvarez, 28. Soucek, 2. Johnson, 7. Ward-Prowse, 14. Kudus, 20. Bowen
Credit: @WestHam
London derby crunch match
Today offers a stern test for both teams for different reasons.
While The Gunners are looking to keep themselves in the mix to challenge for the title, it is different ambitions for their opponents.
West Ham have the bug for European football now having won the Europa Conference League, they want to ensure they book themselves a league place to qualify for Europe once again.
Arteta's side set bar high
Last weekend Arsenal managed to get themselves to within two points of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
Their 3-1 victory over The Reds at The Emirates gave fans belief that they have what it takes for a title race this season.
That said, with both sides above them winning regularly, The Gunners cannot afford to drop any points from now until the end of the season.
Moyes looking to spark Hammers' fans
West Ham are currently unbeaten at the London Stadium since the end of October.
It is ten games in the capital since they tasted defeat on their own turf.
Having already beaten Arsenal twice this season, they will be looking to underpin themselves as Arteta's bogey side this season.
Credit: Getty Arteta loves unique celebrations
When asked whether he thought the coverage of his side being accused of over-celebrating was warranted at all:
No because they told me today. I didn’t know anything about it. No but I love it. I’ve seen managers at the Emirates away on their knees, personally I love it because it brings a passion to the game. When it’s done in a natural and unique way.
Mikel ArtetaHammers looking to continue capital form
West Ham are unbeaten in their last ten games at the London Stadium.
They have also beaten Arsenal twice this season, once in the Carabao Cup at home, the other at The Emirates over the festive period.
Moyes would love nothing more than to make it three wins in a season against their London rivals.
Gunners needing to back up title celebrations
Mikel Arteta’s side have got a lot of stick this week for the over the top reaction to victory over Liverpool.
While many are split on whether it was, a little soon, to be acting like silverware had been won many Arsenal fans enjoyed the reactions.
Either way, Arsenal need consistency to stay in this title race and anything but victory against David Moyes’ side will undo all the good they did by beating The Reds.
Welcome to West Ham vs Arsenal
West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium looking to continue their strong home form against Mikel Arteta’s title chasers.
Despite have to be brought off against Man Utd after colliding with Kurt Zouma, David Moyes said the move was just a precaution and Alphonse Areola will be fine for today’s game.
Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio will both miss the game against The Gunners though as they continue their recovery from injuries.
The Hammers are unlikely to make many, if any, changes to the team that played the Red Devils as Moyes listed many positives from their defeat.
This means that Kalvin Phillips is likely to have to make an impact from the bench as he continues his difficult start to life with The Irons.
As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has said that Gabriel Jesus’ latest knee problem is still persisting but is only likely to keep him out for a few more days but is unlikely to be risked today.
Bukayo Sako is expected shake off an impact injury from a kick to the ankle but Oleksandr Zinchenko is suffering from another calf injury and will not take part in this game.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is back from the Asian Cup and primed to slot at left back for the short trip to the London Stadium.
Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Fabio Viera are long-term absentees for The Gunners.
After his man of the match performance against Liverpool, Jorginho is likely to partner Declan Rice in the heart of midfield with Martin Odegaard.