London derbies, under the lights; they’re so often West Ham United nights. But it was not to be on Wednesday in north London, as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium.
With both sides enduring recent struggles in the Premier League, three huge points were at stake, but it was the Gunners who claimed the victory thanks to Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud goals.
The Hammers, back with fit-again skipper Mark Noble and influential winger Michail Antonio in the starting XI, also named the returning Diafra Sakho on the bench.
And despite the hosts edging the first half in terms of chances, it was the Hammers who were the early pacesetters at the Emirates.
Manuel Lanzini was first to go close and scare the home crowd. Taking responsibility from a free-kick just outside the area, the Argentine curled an effort an inch too high, though keeper Martinez was left scrambling.
And five minutes later, it was again the east Londoners who looked the most likely. Noble, stealing the ball in midfield from Mohamed Elneny, raced towards the box and flashed a strike just wide of the far post.
Minutes later though, it was the Gunners’ turn to hunt down the opener. England pair Walcott and Danny Welbeck both went close before the former lashed a superb opportunity high and wide after James Collins lost the ball.
Four minutes from the break, Slaven Bilic’s men showed their commitment to the cause as both Jose Fonte and Ginge put their bodies on the line, throwing themselves heroically in front of Arsenal attempts.
As the second period begun, it was again Arsene Wenger’s side who applied the pressure. Ozil had a chance snuffed out and Mohamed Elneny pinged a volley just wide.
But on 58 minutes, that pressure finally told. Ozil, picking up the ball just outside the box but in plenty of space, sized up his options before curling an attempt into the bottom corner.
Darren Randolph will have been disappointed with his efforts to deny the German, though he made up for the error moments later, blocking Danny Welbeck’s one-on-one from point blank range.
West Ham introduced Sakho – making his first appearance since scoring at Old Trafford in November – in the hope of snatching an equaliser, but instead they found themselves with a mountain to climb.
Playing a neat one-two with Alexis Sanchez, Ozil was again at the heart of the Gunners’ goal, crossing perfectly for captain Walcott to double the hosts’ lead and make it 2-0.
Lanzini led the charge to reduce the deficit, stinging the palms of Martinez with a quarter of an hour remaining, but the Hammers could simply not a find a way back into the game.
And so Arsenal grabbed a third. Giroud, a substitute, this time the scorer, curling beautifully beyond the helpless Randolph into the far corner. Game, set and match at the Emirates, and the Hammers now look ahead to a vital home contest with Swansea City on Saturday.
Arsenal: Martinez, Bellerin, Gabriel, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Elneny (Ramsey 81), Walcott (Oxlade-Chamberlain 81), Ozil, Welbeck (Giroud 74), Sanchez.
Subs not used: Gibbs, Mertesacker, Iwobi, Macey.
Goals: Ozil 58, Walcott 69, Giroud 83
Bookings: Bellerin 18
West Ham United: Randolph, Byram, Collins, Fonte, Masuaku, Noble (Fernandes 80), Kouyate, Antonio (Snodgrass 46), Lanzini, Ayew, Carroll (Sakho 63).
Subs not used: Nordtveit, Feghouli, Adrian, Calleri.
Bookings: Lanzini 39, Byram 77