Sanchez rapid hat trick as Arsenal thrashes West Ham 5-1

It means that manager Arsene Wenger’s wait for a League Cup triumph goes on, as the 67-year-old has yet to win the competition since taking over in North London back in 1996.

After having their EFL Cup title dreams dashed in midweek, both Arsenal and West Ham United seek to regroup Saturday in a London derby at Olympic Stadium.

Debuchy made his first Gunners appearance since November previous year in Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth last time out but was forced off after just 16 minutes. But ask yourself this: is it better to get $45-50 million for Payet now (ballpark figure) and reinvest it in center backs and strikers you badly need? For me it’s very bad news.

Keeper, Petr Cech, is in great form, while I’m anxious that the wide open spaces of the new ground will suit Arsenal’s short, crisp passing game, especially with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott all looking to profit.

For the supporters it is the same: “they sat every time next to the same guy, and they talk and say “remember last time we were here, we beat this team” and then suddenly they sit away from them”. “I hope he doesn’t read all that, and focus on his game”.

The half-time break brought brief respite but Arsenal threatened to pick up from where they left off after the restart, immediately forcing West Ham back and going close to a second when Walcott headed Ozil’s free-kick just over the bar.

We’re long past the time where English football pundits don’t believe a player exists until he impresses in the Premier League. You just can’t have that kind of start in a game like this. Also, in the infirmary, “the Gunners’ defender Hector is bellerin and participation damaged a groin Olivier Giroud is still under question”.

West Ham can’t expect exactly the same this season. It was another rare start for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the Armenian impressed once again with his direct running, trickery and intensity, setting up two goals.

They managed to keep it at 1-0 for a good portion of the game but couldn’t find anything like a finish to the few chances they made, with Koscielny intercepting their best chance from a Lanzini cross.

Slaven Bilic is pleased to have Andy Carroll back in his West Ham squad to face Arsenal as he feels the oft-injured striker “offers something special”.

West Ham were unbeaten against Arsenal last season (W1 D1), something they hadn’t done since 2006/07.

West Ham have dropped more points from winning positions this season than any other Premier League side (10).