WEST HAM and Arsenal played one of the best London derbies in recent memory on Saturday evening, with SEVEN goals scored in the first half alone.
The Gunners took a 4-0 lead in the opening 35 minutes before the Hammers reduced the deficit with two quick goals, including a sublime free-kick from Emerson.
Bukayo Saka's penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 5-2, becoming only the fourth Premier League match in history with seven goals before half-time.
A relatively lackluster second half followed, with Mikel Arteta making the changes, especially with Wednesday night's clash with Man Utd in the Emirates in mind.
The result moved the Gunners into second place in the Premier League, six points behind Liverpool, ahead of Sunday's huge showdown between the leaders and struggling Man City.
This is how SunSport's Charlie Pittock rated Arsenal's players…
David Raya-6
Beat at his near post for Wan-Bissaka's opener, unable to do anything about Emerson's free-kick.
Gained two in two minutes, but had virtually nothing else to do.
Jurrien Hout-6
At every turn he was rushed towards the post, creating space for Gabriel to score and creating new chances throughout the match.
West Ham's players seemed to take turns fouling him, a major concern given Arsenal's current lack of options at right-back.
Willem Saliba-6
Outmatched by his defensive partner, Saliba also hardly put a foot wrong in the first half.
Fortunately he escaped a booking early in the second half for a challenge on Jarrod Bowen.
Gabriel – 8
The Brazilian headed home early after another corner routine to give his team the lead.
Cleared by Lukasz Fabianski to give Arsenal a penalty at the end of the first half.
During half-time he was taken off the field after a hard blow to the head.
Riccardo Calafiori-5
There is no doubting the Italian's attacking capabilities, but his defensive awareness threatens to be his downfall as he was caught in Aaron Wan-Bissaka's goal.
Replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 56th minute and appeared to point to his crotch as he left the field.
Bukayo Saka-9
Mr Reliable – at the center of everything when the Gunners went forward.
He whipped in an inch-perfect corner for Gabriel, put the ball to Trossard for Arsenal's second, won the penalty for the third and scored the penalty to make it 5-2 late in the first half.
Replaced by Raheem Sterling with 74 minutes on the clock.
Jorginho-6
The Italian had a fairly anonymous first half, but when your team scores five in one half, can anyone really have had a bad game?
Declan Rice – 6
Controlled midfield alongside Jorginho and helped keep West Ham's counter-attacks to a minimum.
Gave away a foul in a dangerous area before Emerson fired home West Ham's second with a superb free-kick.
Leandro Trossard-7
Doubled the Gunners' lead in the first half with the easiest goal he will score all season.
Pinned a perfect pass over the top to send Havertz through for the fourth.
Much calmer in the second half, just like the rest of his teammates.
Martin Odegaard-7
The Gunners captain's glorious through ball split open West Ham's defense in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal.
Always a threat, and made it 3-0 with a penalty.
Kai Havertz-6
He fell behind to make it 4–0 inside 35 minutes, leading to a mass exodus of West Ham fans.
He now has as many Premier League goals and assists for Arsenal as he did for Chelsea, but in 42 fewer games.
SUBS
Jakub Kiwior-6
He replaced Gabriel for the second half and he certainly had big boots to fill.
In a very quiet second half, the Gunners defense had hardly anything to do.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Mikel Arteta may have no choice but to play the Ukrainian at left-back if Calafiori is injured, and he has done himself no harm.
Solid at the back and also got involved in some of Arsenal's attacks.
Raheem Sterling-6
The Chelsea loanee desperately needs minutes and came on with fifteen minutes to go.
Hit the side netting after Declan Rice's threatening run through the West Ham midfield.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
After completely misjudging a pass within seconds of being introduced, the former Man City man is yet to replicate the same form he had at the Etihad in an Arsenal shirt.
Has made some promising runs but seems to be completely out of confidence.
Ethan Nwaneri – N/A
The 17-year-old was brought on with just over five minutes to go and didn't really have enough time to make an impact on the match.
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