Bukako Saka makes brutal 'smelled blood' boast after woeful West Ham slump to club-record defeat & Arsenal equal best-ever Premier League away showing in 6-0 rout at London Stadium

Arsenal secured their joint-biggest Premier League away victory in what was West Ham's joint-heaviest home defeat of all time in the competition on Sunday afternoon. Four goals in 15 first-half minutes from William Saliba, Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard put the Gunners 4-0 up at half time. Saka then bagged a second in the 63rd minute before former Hammer Declan Rice completed the rout two minutes later with a stunning long-range strike. After the match, England international Saka said his side "went for the kill" against their London rivals - who are eighth in the league.

The 22-year-old told Sky Sports: "We were 4-0 up in the first half and we could have scored more. We smelled blood today and went for the kill."

On scoring his 50th and 51st goals for Arsenal, Saka added: "I am really happy to achieve that. I missed some chances that I could have scored but it is a great achievement and I am proud of that."

This commanding victory for Mikel Arteta's men saw them draw level on points with second-placed Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand, and two points within league leaders Liverpool. Conversely, this was West Ham's joint-biggest home Premier League defeat and matched their 8-2 loss against Blackburn Rovers in 1963-64. This result is only likely to increase the number of David Moyes critics, despite his impressive track record in his second spell at the Hammers.

Arsenal will next travel to lowly Burnley on February 17, before taking on FC Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League the following Wednesday. West Ham visit Nottingham Forest next weekend, followed by a home clash with Brentford on February 26.