A late flurry of goals saw Arsenal secure a 4-1 win over West Ham in their first game since Arsene Wenger revealed he is stepping down as boss.
It took the Gunners 51 minutes to open the scoring on a day of high emotion at the Emirates as Nacho Monreal fired in his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
Marko Arnautovic drew the Hammers level with a fine strike in the 64th minute but after a defensive error saw Aaron Ramsey put Arsenal back in front, a late Alexandre Lacazette brace made sure of the points.
Star man – Nacho Monreal
Monreal topped off an impressive performance with the hosts’ first goal, volleying in from the middle of the area after 51 minutes. He was one of Arsenal’s best attacking outlets as he flew down the wing and had a solid game at the back.
Crowd focus
With Wenger announcing his impending departure just two days ago, many expected there to be a party atmosphere at the Emirates as Arsenal fans gathered to pay tribute to their long-serving manager. But there were plenty of empty seats in the home end and, while the crowd did sing Wenger’s name – especially at 4-1 – the groans were audible as defensive mistakes crept into Arsenal’s game in the first half.
Moment of the match
The game was well and truly in the balance before confusion between Declan Rice and Joe Hart resulted in Ramsey putting Arsenal 2-1 up. Young Hammers defender Rice ducked out of a header as Ramsey’s shot-cross flew towards goal, and with Hart expecting the 19-year-old to clear it, the ball landed in the back of the net.
Ratings
Arsenal: David Ospina 7, Hector Bellerin 6, Shkodran Mustafi 7, Laurent Koscielny 6, Nacho Monreal 7, Mohamed Elneny 6, Aaron Ramsey 7, Granit Xhaka 6, Alex Iwobi 6, Danny Welbeck 7, Alexandre Lacazette 8. Substitutes: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (for Elneny, 45) 6, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (for Iwobi, 70) 6, Calum Chambers (for Welbeck, 88) 6.
West Ham: Joe Hart 7, Pablo Zabaleta 6, Declan Rice 5, Angelo Ogbonna 6, Aaron Cresswell 6, Arthur Masuaku 6, Cheikhou Kouyate 6, Mark Noble 7, Edimilson Fernandes 6, Joao Mario 7, Marko Arnautovic 7. Substitutes: Javier Hernandez (for Joao Mario, 60) 6, Manuel Lanzini (for Fernandes, 60) 6, Andy Carroll (for Masuaku, 86) 6.
Who’s up next?
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (Europa League, April 26)
West Ham v Manchester City (Premier League, April 29)