By Max Kiddle

A fine Alexis Sanchez hat-trick helped Arsenal to an impressive 5-1 demolishing of West Ham at The London Stadium.

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Arsenal were much the better side in the opening stages creating a couple of openings that just failed to be converted. Proceedings were not helped when James Collings was replaced by former Real Madrid right back Alvaro Arbeloa; the veteran had a troubled afternoon. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and the overlapping Nacho Monreal were having excellent success down the left hand side and it was only a matter of time before Arsenal took the lead. A mistake in possession by Angelo Ogbonna let Sanchez in on goal only to cut back to Mesut Ozil to open the scoring.

West Ham then improved, even creating a couple of half opportunities of their own before the half time whistle. However Arsenal routed in the second half and Sanchez surged down the right before striking the ball across Darren Randolph to score the first of his hat-trick. The Chilean then added his second, a low strike from 18 yards, which found the far corner. Many unhappy Hammers were starting to head for the exits. An unfamiliar sight occurring at the London Stadium this season.

West Ham were given a glimmer of hope after a delicate Dimitri Payet free kick curled onto the cross bar and the rebound fell to the returning Andy Carroll to head home. However, West Ham’s slim hopes were dashed by Oxlade Chamberlain’s excellent strike just minutes later. The Englishman cut in from the left and curled the ball into the far corner.

With the game now wide open and drawing to a close, there was no stopping the quite brilliant Sanchez taking the match ball home. He was slid in on goal by Oxlade Chamberlain and exquisitely chipped the despairing Randolph who was sent down by a fake shot prior to the chip.

The 5-1 defeat now leaves The Irons 17^th in the table on just 12 points and a giant injury list. Things don’t get any easier with their next game being an away trip to Anfield. Arsenal on the other hand have risen to second, 3 points off Chelsea at the top of the table and remain unbeaten since the opening day of the season in the league. Their next game is a very winnable home game against Stoke City.